USPS Raises Forever Stamp Price for the 6th Time in 5 Years - New Cost Starts Sunday

If you frequently send mail via the USPS and want to keep more of your money, now might be the time to stock up on Forever stamps. USPS Forever stamp prices are set to increase this Sunday, July 12, and prices are climbing from 78 cents to 82 cents, meaning it may soon become more expensive to mail items like letters and bills. 

From the factors driving the increase to how to get the lowest rates, here's what you need to know about Forever stamps and the upcoming price change.

Numerous Forever stamp price increases

This upcoming price increase marks the sixth increase in five years. First-class stamps cost 58 cents in 2021, but on Sunday, they'll cost 82 cents, a rise of approximately 41%.

When Forever stamps were first released in 2007, they cost 41 cents, the price of a First-Class stamp at the time. Forever stamps were designed to help customers cope with future price changes; customers could purchase the stamps at a lower price and still use them in the future, regardless of any price hikes. Since the stamps were released, their price has doubled in 19 years.

Additional postal price increases to be aware of

On April 9, the USPS filed intent to raise several prices, and the Postal Regulatory Commission approved those price changes on May 27.

Forever stamps aren't the only USPS price increase coming on Sunday. Domestic postcards, which currently cost 61 cents, are also scheduled to increase to 65 cents. International postcards and letters, which currently cost $1.70, are scheduled to increase to $1.75.

Why USPS price increases are happening

The USPS attributed the price increases to financial challenges, including rising costs. "In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public," read the announcement.

According to the Postal Regulatory Commission, the USPS has operated at a loss over the past decade. A May 21 report indicated the USPS recorded a $9 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending in September 2025.

Additional USPS challenges

In addition to declining revenue, the USPS has faced other financial challenges. Shrinking mail volumes have had a financial impact, and that's exacerbated by Congressional policy changes.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 required the USPS to prepay health care benefits for retired employees, and that obligation amplified the financial losses and increased USPS debt. After the Act was implemented in 2006, the USPS began recording net annual losses.

What to know about Forever stamps

Any Forever stamps that you buy before Sunday's price increase remain valid even after the price changes. There's no price printed on Forever stamps, so you may continue using them regardless of when you purchased them.

Knowing that Forever stamp prices are set to increase, you may want to stock up on Forever stamps now to lock in the lower 78-cent rate. Doing so might help you save money, especially if you frequently mail First-Class items.

Could more postal price changes be coming

It's likely that the USPS might increase prices again in the future. In March, Postmaster General David Steiner explained that raising first-class stamps to 90 or 95 cents could help financially stabilize the USPS.

In his Congressional testimony, Steiner emphasized the financial challenges the USPS faces, and noted that raising rates by charging higher prices for stamps could offer one solution. "As you all know, there are only three things that any company can do to improve financial performance — sell more products, raise prices or cut costs," he said. "On the pricing side, we need to look for higher prices on both our package and mail products."

According to Steiner, the USPS could potentially run out of money in the next 12 months. He also noted that increasing stamp prices might largely solve the postal service's financial losses.

Bottom line

To a point, price increases for services like the USPS are to be expected because of inflation, so the increase in Forever stamp prices on Sunday isn't to be completely unexpected. As the USPS continues to struggle with financial challenges, such price increases might help stabilize and even preserve the mail service that the country depends on. However, the stamp price increase marks yet another price hike that may feel extra frustrating right now as the prices of gas, housing, and groceries also feel unreasonable.

If you mail bills, cards, or letters regularly, buying a supply of stamps before Sunday might act as a buffer against future increases, especially if stamp prices climb to 90 or 95 cents. Since Forever stamps never expire or lose their value, investing in a larger stamp purchase now might help you avoid wasting money on future, potentially larger price increases.

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