USPS Stamp Price Increase: Forever Stamp Going to 82 Cents on July 12

The stamp price increase is the latest move in a rapid-fire week of financial actions by USPS. The same day the agency announced it would suspend FERS employer contributions to save $2.5 billion, it also filed for the stamp increase — using every pricing tool available while Congress debates the borrowing cap.

What’s Changing

The increase also covers First-Class Mail flats, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, Package Services, and selected Special Services. The PRC must review the filing before the changes take effect. Approval is expected — the PRC has not rejected a USPS mailing services price increase in recent history.

What This Means for Postal Employees

Window clerks: Get ready for customer questions starting now, even though the increase doesn’t take effect until July 12. The key message: First-Class stamps are going up, but Forever stamps bought now still work at full value. You’ll likely see a rush of customers buying stamps before the increase, similar to past price changes.

This does not affect your pay. Stamp price increases are revenue measures. They don’t change base pay, COLA calculations, step increases, or any employee compensation. COLA adjustments for postal workers are tied to the Consumer Price Index, not stamp prices.

The bigger signal: USPS has now signaled that stamp prices could eventually reach 90–95 cents. PMG Steiner has pushed for greater pricing authority from Congress, arguing that even at 82 cents, U.S. postage remains among the cheapest in the industrialized world. If Congress doesn’t provide financial relief through the borrowing cap, more aggressive price increases are virtually guaranteed.

Stamp Price History

The pace of increases has accelerated dramatically. The Forever stamp went from 55 cents in 2020 to 82 cents in 2026 — a 49% increase in six years. For context, it took from 1975 to 2014 (39 years) for the stamp price to go from 13 cents to 49 cents. The acceleration reflects both the collapse in mail volume (down over 50% since 2006) and rising operational costs that fewer pieces of mail must cover.

How It Connects to the Financial Crisis

This week alone, USPS has taken three major financial actions: suspended $2.5 billion in FERS employer payments, filed for the stamp increase, and is preparing to implement the 8% package surcharge on April 26. Combined with the Amazon deal that costs the agency roughly $1.2 billion in annual revenue, the picture is clear: USPS is in emergency mode.

For the full breakdown of the financial situation and what it means for your job, pension, and benefits, see our financial crisis guide.

Sources: USPS Newsroom (April 9, 2026), Axios, CNBC, Bloomberg.