USPS is Raising Prices on Forever Stamps
USPS is Raising Prices on Forever Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is raising prices on Forever stamps beginning July 14, 2024. The new price will be 73 cents, a 78% increase over the introduction of Forever stamps in 2007.
Why is USPS raising prices?
The most recent price changes were proposed by USPS in April and approved by the Postal Service Board of Governors in November. Aggressive price increases are part of the Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America plan, which was introduced in 2021 by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Can I still use my old Forever stamps?
Yes, you can still use any Forever stamp. Each Forever stamp covers the cost of the first ounce of postage, even if the price of a stamp changes.
What other postal rates are increasing?
* Priority Mail (5%) * Letters (1 oz.) will increase from 68 cents to 73 cents. * Letters (measured 1 oz.) will increase from 64 cents to 69 cents. * Domestic postcards will increase from 53 cents to 56 cents. * International postcards will increase from $1.55 to €1.65. * International letter (1 oz.) will increase from $1.55 to €1.65.
The U.S. Postal Service is raising prices beginning July 14, including the cost of Forever stamps. The new price is a 78 percent increase over the introduction of Forever stamps in 2007.
Postage rates, including the price of Forever stamps, are going up again.
Forever stamps will increase by 5 cents, from 68 cents to 73 cents. The price increase will take effect on Sunday, July 14.
When Forever stamps were introduced in 2007, they cost 41 cents each, a 78 percent increase in 17 years.
The U.S. Postal Service called them “Forever” stamps so that consumers knew that when they bought them, the stamp would be valid for sending mail. That means that any stamps you have now that you bought for 68 cents or less can still be used, even after the price increase.
Here’s what else you need to know.
Why does the USPS keep raising the price of Forever stamps?
The most recent price changes were proposed by USPS in April and approved by the Postal Service Board of Governors in November.
Aggressive price increases are part of the Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America plan, which was introduced in 2021 by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
“You understand that the Postal Service had been in a financial tailspin for 14 years prior to my arrival in June 2020 and had no plan to stem those losses, and therefore no plan to become financially self-sufficient,” he told a U.S. Senate committee in April 2024.
Despite some touted improvements at USPS, many senators criticized how the plan has led to delays in their constituents’ mail. The Postal Service, which had projected a $1.7 billion surplus in 2024 under the Delivering for America plan, is expected to lose more than $8 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 and has asked the White House for an additional $14 billion, The Washington Post reported.
Raising the price of Forever stamps and other postal services won’t solve the agency’s financial challenges, USPS spokesman David Coleman told USA TODAY. A major problem is that domestic first-class mail is down 52 percent compared to 2007, he said.
“The Postal Service is one of the most efficient postal administrations in the world, but volumes are expected to continue to decline due to the shift to digital communications and the increase in online transactions,” Coleman said.
Can I still use Forever stamps?
Yes, you can still use any Forever stamp. Each Forever stamp covers the cost of the first ounce of stamp, even if the price of a stamp changes, Coleman said.
You can also use stamps that are not Forever stamps, but you must add enough postage to total 73 cents if you are sending a 1-ounce First-Class Mail letter.
Forever Stamps: Price increases over the years
If it seems like Forever stamps have been going up forever, well, they’ve been going up a lot in recent years. Here’s how much has gone up since the stamps hit 55 cents on January 27, 2019:
- Aug 29, 2021 – 58 cents
- July 10, 2022 – 60 cents
- Jan 22, 2023 – 63 cents
- July 9, 2023 – 66 cents
- January 21, 2024 – 68 cents
- July 14, 2024 – 73 cents
Which other postal rates are increasing?
Other services will also see an increase, including Priority Mail (5%). Here are some other price increases that went into effect on January 21:
| Product | Prices before July 14th | New prices |
| Letters (1 oz.) | 68 cent | 73 cent |
| Letters (measured 1 oz.) | 64 cent | 69 cent |
| Domestic postcards | 53 cent | 56 cent |
| International postcards | $1.55 | €1.65 |
| International letter (1 oz.) | $1.55 | €1.65 |
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
What is everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to receive the latest news of the day
