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• Produced by the U.S. Postal Service, forever stamps are postage stamps that are valid for use regardless of the current price for a standard postage stamp.United States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts

  Forever stamps are popular as they can be purchased at one price and kept for use even after the yearly postal rates increase. The U.S. Postal Service increased the price of stamps from 42¢ to 44¢ on May 11, 2009.MSNBC: Peel 'n' Weep: Stamps go Up 2 cents Monday

• Fast Facts

  1. First introduced: April 12, 2007United States Postal Service: Forever Stamps Store
  2. Enacted under the The Postal Accountability and Enhancement ActUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamps Store
  3. Produced by the U.S. Postal Service
  4. Sold in booklets of 20 stamps or sheets of 18 stampsUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts
  5. More than six billion sold between 2007 and 2009United States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts
  6. Can be purchased at the Post Office, online, by phone or at third-party retailersUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts
  7. Valid to send a letter first class regardless of the current stamp priceUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts
  8. Features an image of the Liberty BellUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamps Store
  9. Can be used on envelopes weighing one ounce or lessUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamp Facts
  10. Designed by Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, CaliforniaUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamps Store
  11. Liberty Bell image created by Tom Engeman of Brunswick, MarylandUnited States Postal Service: Forever Stamps Store
  12. Eliminates the need for additional one- or two-cent stampsMSNBC: Peel 'n' Weep: Stamps go Up 2 cents Monday

• Postage Rate Increases

  Per law, the U.S. Postal Service may increase postal rates each year, providing the prices do not rise faster than the U.S. consumer price index. When the forever stamps were first introduced, they were sold for 41¢ each. The price increased to 42¢ in May of 2008, then to 44¢ in May of 2009.MSNBC: Peel 'n' Weep: Stamps go Up 2 cents Monday

  Customers pay the current price of first-class stamps when purchasing forever stamps, but can use them regardless of if the rate has increased since the purchase. Some argue that since the Postal Service is limited by the current rate of inflation, stamps will always cost the same after the rates are corrected for inflation. However, should the country experience deflation, the The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act does not permit the Postal Service to reduce postage prices, meaning they could profit from forever stamps.The Wall Street Journal: Should You Invest in Forever Stamps?

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  U.S. Postal Service | Stamp Collecting | FedEx | United Parcel Service (UPS) | DHL | Mail Holidays | Christmas Stamps | Simpsons Stamps | American Idol Stamps | Did the price of stamps go up again?

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