USPS Increases First-Class Stamp Price to 82 Cents

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

The United States Postal Service will increase the price of a first-class Forever stamp to 82 cents starting July 12, following regulatory approval as part of ongoing rate hikes. This price rise reflects the USPS's severe financial challenges, prompting calls for legislative reforms to prevent depletion of its cash reserves and ensure future sustainability.

The United States Postal Service will raise the price of a first-class Forever stamp to 82 cents starting July 12, marking a 4.8% increase from the current 78-cent rate. This adjustment follows approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission in May and represents the eighth price hike for first-class stamps over the past five years.

The price escalation reflects ongoing financial difficulties faced by the Postal Service, which has reported cumulative net losses of approximately $120 billion since 2007. In June, USPS warned Congress that it could deplete its cash reserves within a year, a situation that Postmaster General David Steiner attributed to a fundamentally unsustainable business model. In written testimony to a Senate committee, Steiner said the agency has been borrowing from employee retirement funds to maintain operations and called for legislative action to address the challenges.

The USPS operates without taxpayer funding for its operational costs, relying solely on revenues from postage sales and other services. Despite its financial struggles, the agency maintains that it provides some of the lowest mailing rates among industrialized nations and continues to offer affordable shipping options.

The Forever stamp, introduced in 2007 to simplify postage for consumers amid periodic rate increases, has doubled in price since its inception—from 41 cents to 82 cents over 19 years. The price increases since 2021 alone include the following:

- August 29, 2021: 58 cents

- July 10, 2022: 60 cents

- January 22, 2023: 63 cents

- July 9, 2023: 66 cents

- January 21, 2024: 68 cents

- July 14, 2024: 73 cents

- July 13, 2025: 78 cents

The USPS has outlined a 10-year plan aimed at achieving financial stability while maintaining affordability for American consumers. This plan includes adjustments not only to domestic letter rates but also to international letters and postcards. The agency has emphasized its commitment to preserving the convenience of the Forever stamp, which removes the need for customers to purchase small-denomination stamps to meet postage rate increases.

As the Postal Service continues to navigate financial headwinds, it calls on Congress to take action to reform its business model to ensure long-term operational viability.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.