USPS Increases Forever Stamp Price to 78 Cents Nationwide

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has increased the price of first-class Forever stamps from 73 cents to 78 cents as of July 13, marking a 7.4% hike as part of ongoing efforts to achieve financial self-sufficiency amid persistent fiscal challenges. This increase is the latest in a series of recent rate hikes aimed at supporting USPS’s 10-year modernization plan, which includes technological upgrades, staffing, and customer service improvements. The USPS has faced significant financial losses, with a net loss of $9.5 billion in 2024, prompting these price adjustments despite public concerns and worker opposition to privatization efforts discussed under President Donald Trump’s administration. Former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who resigned in March, had warned of “uncomfortable” rate hikes due to a decade of a defective pricing model, with Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino now serving as acting Postmaster General. The USPS continues to emphasize that its prices remain competitive globally, and the Forever Stamp remains a one-time purchase covering future postage despite price increases. The agency's long-term pricing strategy, initiated during President Joe Biden’s term, may face adjustments under the Trump administration, which has considered restructuring USPS oversight to curb financial losses.