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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's mounting financial losses.
The USPS announced 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.
The USPS has struggled for years with high costs and shrinking mail volumes, while policy changes implemented by Congress also weakened the agency's finances.
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) — which, among other changes, created a fund that required the agency to prepay health care benefits for postal service retirees — contributed to the agency's losses in subsequent years and sharply increased its debt load, according to a 2025 report by the USPS Office of the Inspector General.
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The USPS announced 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.
The USPS has struggled for years with high costs and shrinking mail volumes, while policy changes implemented by Congress also weakened the agency's finances.
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) — which, among other changes, created a fund that required the agency to prepay health care benefits for postal service retirees — contributed to the agency's losses in subsequent years and sharply increased its debt load, according to a 2025 report by the USPS Office of the Inspector General.
USPS to raise the price of a Forever stamp to 82 cents on Sunday. Here's what to know.
The cost of a first-class Forever stamp has climbed 41% since 2021, and postal officials have signaled they want prices to rise even more.


