The U.S. Postal Service called them "Forever" stamps so consumers knew whenever they bought them, the stamp would be good for sending mail. That means any stamps you have now that you bought for 68 cents or cheaper can still be used even after the price increase.
Here's what else you need to know:
Forever stamps including the new U.S. flag stamps released last month, initially sold at the first-class rate of 68 cents, will now cost 73 cents on USPS.com starting Sunday, July 14, USPS
Why does the Postal Service keep raising price of Forever stamps?
Aggressive price increases have been part of the Postal Service's 10-year Delivering for America plan, enacted in 2021 by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
"You understand the Postal Service had been in a financial death spiral for the 14 years prior to my arrival in June of 2020 and had no plan to curtail these losses, and therefore no plan to become fiscally self-sufficient," he told a U.S. Senate committee in April 2024 .
Despite some cited improvements at the Postal Service, many senators decried how its plan has led to delays in their constituents' mail . The Postal Service, which had forecast a $1.7 billion surplus in 2024 in the Delivering for America plan, is expected to lose more than $8 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, and has asked the White House for an additional $14 billion, The Washington Post reported .
Upping the price of Forever stamps and other mail services won't solve the agency's financial challenges, Postal Service spokesman David Coleman told USA TODAY. A big problem is that domestic first-class mail has declined by 52% compared to 2007, he said.
"The Postal Service is one of the most efficient postal administrations in the world, but volume … is expected to continue to decline as a result of diversion to digital communications and the increase in online transactions," Coleman said.
A commemorative Forever stamp honoring Henry “Hank” Aaron becomes available July 31. Prices for Forever stamps go up 5 cents on July 14 to 73 cents. USPS
Can I still use Forever stamps?
Yes, you can still use any Forever stamp. Any Forever stamp covers the cost of first-ounce postage even if the price of a stamp changes, Coleman said.
You can also still use stamps that are not Forever stamps, but you will need to add enough postage to total 73 cents when mailing a First-Class Mail letter weighing 1 ounce.
The Postal Service printed 20 million Ansel Adams stamps, which come in panes of 16 Forever stamps. They became available May 15, 2024. USPS
Forever stamps: Tracking price increases over the years
If it seems as if Forever stamps have been increasing forever, well, they have been rising a lot in recent years. Here are the increases since the stamps were priced at 55 cents on Jan. 27, 2019:
◾ Aug. 29, 2021 - 58 cents
◾ July 10, 2022 - 60 cents
◾ Jan. 22, 2023 - 63 cents
◾ July 9, 2023 - 66 cents
◾ Jan. 21, 2024 - 68 cents
◾ July 14, 2024 - 73 cents
The U.S. Postal Service will issue a Forever stamp honoring former host Alex Trebek on July 22, timed to the show's 60th Diamond Celebration. USPS
What other mail prices are going up?
Other services will see an increase, too, including Priority Mail (5%). Here are some other price increases that took effect on Jan. 21:
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