USPS Postage Rates Rise as Agency Halts Pension Payments to Avert Cash Shortage
DD
Drew Drummond
Social Security cut · Apr 13, 2026
Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal
The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents. This is part of a proposed 4.8% increase in mailing services product prices, including raising international postcards from $1.70 to $1.75, which would go into effect on July 12.
To conserve cash and preserve liquidity, the U.S. Postal Service is pausing its employer contributions for the defined benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System. The move will save the agency approximately $2.5 billion in the current fiscal year.
These measures are the result of a severe financial crisis. Postmaster General David Steiner stated that the agency will run out of cash in 2027 if no significant changes are made. The crisis is driven by a reduction in mail volume, which has fallen from a peak of 213 billion pieces per year in 2006 to 109 billion pieces today.
Federal law prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from borrowing more than $15 billion, and the agency reached that limit years ago. The agency now relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.
Social Security cut
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