Forever Stamps (Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES -- That 42-cent stamp won't get your letter anywhere, starting Monday.
The U.S. Postal Service is raising its rates under a plan approved on Feb. 10.
Starting Monday, the price of a first-class stamp will increase two cents to 44-cents. Forever stamps can still be used without an additional 2-cent stamp, regardless of when they were purchased.
The price of a postcard stamp will increase 1 cent to 28 cents, the first ounce of a large envelope will increase 5 cents to 88 cents and the first ounce of a parcel will increase 5 cents to $1.22.
There will be no change to the cost of an additional ounce of first-class mail, which will remain at 17 cents, while the cost of a postcard will rise by a penny to 29 cents.
Postmaster General John Potter says the rate hikes are the result of rising operational costs and are in line with the amount of inflation.
The increase in the price of a first-class mail stamp will represent an additional $3 to the average household over the course of the year, Potter said.
"The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs, which are affecting homes and businesses across America today," Potter said. "Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world."
The U.S. Postal Service is raising its rates under a plan approved on Feb. 10.
Starting Monday, the price of a first-class stamp will increase two cents to 44-cents. Forever stamps can still be used without an additional 2-cent stamp, regardless of when they were purchased.
The price of a postcard stamp will increase 1 cent to 28 cents, the first ounce of a large envelope will increase 5 cents to 88 cents and the first ounce of a parcel will increase 5 cents to $1.22.
There will be no change to the cost of an additional ounce of first-class mail, which will remain at 17 cents, while the cost of a postcard will rise by a penny to 29 cents.
Postmaster General John Potter says the rate hikes are the result of rising operational costs and are in line with the amount of inflation.
The increase in the price of a first-class mail stamp will represent an additional $3 to the average household over the course of the year, Potter said.
"The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs, which are affecting homes and businesses across America today," Potter said. "Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world."
