USPS Forever stamp price rises to 82 cents this weekend
Starting Sunday, July 12, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service is raising the price of a Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents. The USPS hike is part of a broader 4.8% increase across mailing services, as the agency faces a severe financial crisis and rising operational costs. Forever stamps purchased before the change remain valid for standard one-ounce letters.
Key Takeaways
- Forever stamps rise from 78¢ to 82¢ on July 12—the eighth increase since 2021.
- Overall USPS mailing services prices climb roughly 4.8%, including postcards and international mail.
- The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the hike on May 27 after an April filing.
- Stamp prices have surged 41% from 58 cents in 2021 to the new 82-cent rate.
- USPS leaders warn more increases are likely as losses and declining mail volume continue.
How much is the USPS raising Forever stamp prices?
The Forever stamp climbs 4 cents, from 78 cents to 82 cents—a roughly 5% jump. It is the second straight year of a sizable increase; prices last rose in July 2025, when stamps went from 73 cents to 78 cents.
When Forever stamps debuted in 2007 at 41 cents, few imagined they would double in 19 years. Since August 2021, when a stamp cost 58 cents, prices have climbed eight times for a 41% increase, according to WBAL-TV.
What other postal rates are increasing on July 12?
Beyond Forever stamps, several common USPS products cost more starting this weekend. Domestic postcards rise from 61 cents to 65 cents. Metered one-ounce letters increase from 74 cents to 78 cents.
International postcards and one-ounce letters both move from $1.70 to $1.75. The additional-ounce charge for single-piece letters stays at 29 cents. Across all mailing services, prices rise about 4.8%.
Why is the USPS raising stamp prices now?
The Postal Service filed its intent to raise rates on April 9, 2026, citing mounting financial losses and rising operational costs. In a statement, USPS said it is using every available tool to fulfill its universal service obligation amid a severe financial crisis.
The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the increases on May 27 while flagging ongoing concerns about declining mail volume, service performance, and the agency's deteriorating finances. Fiscal 2025 brought a $9 billion loss, according to Yahoo News.
Postmaster General David Steiner told Congress in March that first-class stamps may need to reach 90 to 95 cents to help stabilize USPS finances. Under a schedule the agency previously outlined, adjustments could continue every January and July through 2027. If roughly 4-cent increases persist, a single Forever stamp could cost around 96 cents by the end of 2028, The Hill reports.
Will Forever stamps you already own still work?
Yes. Forever stamps are non-denominated, meaning any stamp purchased at 78 cents or less covers postage for a standard one-ounce letter regardless of future price changes. Stocking up before July 12 could save a few cents per envelope if you mail frequently.
As digital payments and automation reshape how Americans send information, physical mail still underpins bills, legal notices, and personal correspondence—a tension explored across our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage of infrastructure that endures alongside rapid innovation.