How much does a forever stamp worth

On Sunday, July 10 prices changes will go into effect for the United States Postal Service. A First-Class Mail Forever stamp will go up 2 cents to 60 cents. Postcard stamps will jump from 40 cents to 44 cents. 

Forever stamps were 41 cents when they were first introduced in 2007. The Postal Service blames "inflation and increased operating expenses" for the increase. 

A table of all the price increases is below.

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The rate hike on stamps is due partly to the Post Office's massive debt: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says the USPS will fall $1 billion short by the end of 2022.

Later this month, the United States Postal Service will raise the price of postage. Earlier this fall the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the USPS's request to increase first-class stamps from 60 cents to 63 cents. 

Prices for international mail and metered letters will also go up, as will fees for post office boxes, money orders and other special services. 

The increase will take effect on Jan. 22, 2023. The last postage increase, just this past July, saw a first-class stamp go from 58 cents to 60 cents. 

The National Postal Policy Council, a trade association for corporations that use stamped mail, said in submitted comments about the latest price hike that "two substantial increases in six months imposes unwelcome burdens."

But the UPSP calls the new rates "competitive." 

"Prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world," the agency, which has been plagued by an annual budget shortfall of nearly $10 billion, said in a statement in October.

Here's what you need to know about stamp prices, including what the new rates are and what you can do to delay paying more. 

Read On: What's the Cheapest Way to Ship a Package: UPS, FedEx or USPS?

How much is the price of stamps increasing?

With the Postal Regulatory Commission approving the price hike in November, the cost of first-class mail will go up 4.2%.

First-class stamps will increase from 60 cents to 63 cents, while international letters and postcards will jump from $1.40 to $1.45.

Product

Current Price

Planned 2023 Price

Letters (1 oz.)

60 cents

63 cents

Letters (metered 1 oz.)

57 cents

60 cents

Domestic Postcards

44 cents

48 cents

International Postcards

$1.40

$1.45

International Letter (1 oz.)

$1.40

$1.45

How much are shipping rates increasing?

The price increase does impact packages, as well. Priority Mail commercial rates will increase by 3.6%, which is "well below the rate of inflation," the USPS said. 

Overall, though, the agency said Priority Mail service prices will increase by about 5.5%, with Priority Mail Express increasing by 6.6% and First-Class Package Service by 7.8%.

There is no price increase for Parcel Select Ground or USPS Connect Local, which allows businesses to offer same-day and next-day delivery for local customers. In addition, some Priority Mail flat-rate mail will be cheaper compared to the temporary rate adjustments in place amid the pandemic and the busy holiday season.

More details on the new prices can be found on the Postal Service's Postal Explorer website.

Domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate changes

ProductCurrentNewSmall flat-rate box$10.40$10.20Medium flat-rate box$17.05$17.10Large flat-rate box$22.45$22.80APO/FPO large flat-rate box$20.95$21.20Regular flat-rate envelope$9.90$9.65Legal flat-rate envelope$10.20$9.95Padded flat-rate envelope$10.60$10.40

When will the stamp price increase go into effect?

The price change for Forever stamps, postcards and other postage and shipping will go into effect on Jan. 22, 2023.
 

How can I save money on stamps before the price hike?

Forever stamps are always valid, regardless of when you purchased them or the price you paid. So buying Forever stamps in bulk before Jan. 22, 2023, means you'll avoid the price increase for as long as your supply holds.

You can buy stamps at online retailers like Amazon or directly at the US Postal Service website.

Will the Post Office raise prices again?

It's definitely possible. The rate hikes are part of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 10-year Delivering for America plan, intended to chip away at the USPS' mammoth debt. The agency had $188 billion in debts and unfunded liabilities at the end of fiscal year 2020, the Government Accountability Office reported, mostly from underfunding of workers' pensions and retiree health care benefits.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, relying on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

DeJoy's plans include increasing postage rates, lengthening delivery times and reducing post office hours. In October 2021, the USPS started lengthening delivery times for about a third of its volume, meaning that letters, parcels and magazines that took two or three days can now take up to five to arrive.

Can I use 2 Forever Stamps for extra postage?

What is the value of a forever stamp in 2022?

How many Forever Stamps do I need for?

Will 2 Forever Stamps cover 3 ounces?