The U.S. Postal Service will raise the cost of a first-class Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents starting Sunday, July 12, marking the second straight year of a sizable increase.
Financial Crisis and Rising Operational Costs
The USPS proposed higher rates for the Forever stamp and other products in April, saying it is facing a “severe financial crisis” and rising operational costs. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the changes on May 27, paving the way for the increased prices.
The postal service has consistently increased the price of a stamp dating back to the 1960s, but with steeper rises in recent years. The stamp has gone up six times over the last half-decade, increasing a total of 41% from 58 cents in 2021 to 82 cents this summer.
Forever stamps are valid for sending mail regardless of when it was purchased, so those bought at 78 cents or less can still be used even after the impending price hike.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.
