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USPS Forever Stamp Price History (2007–2026): Every Rate Change
The complete year-by-year Forever stamp price history, from 41¢ in 2007 to 82¢ in 2026 — including the only price cut in Forever history.
The Forever stamp has doubled in value since it launched: from 41¢ in 2007 to 82¢ today. Here is the complete year-by-year price history, the unusual moments along the way — including the only price cut in Forever history — and what it all means for your postage budget.
The Complete Price History
A Forever stamp’s value follows the domestic First-Class Mail one-ounce letter rate. Every rate change since 2007 is listed below.
| Effective Date | Forever Stamp Value | Change |
| May 14, 2007 | $0.41 | First Forever stamp |
| May 12, 2008 | $0.42 | +1¢ |
| May 11, 2009 | $0.44 | +2¢ |
| January 22, 2012 | $0.45 | +1¢ |
| January 27, 2013 | $0.46 | +1¢ |
| January 26, 2014 | $0.49 | +3¢ |
| April 10, 2016 | $0.47 | −2¢ (only decrease) |
| January 22, 2017 | $0.49 | +2¢ |
| January 21, 2018 | $0.50 | +1¢ |
| January 27, 2019 | $0.55 | +5¢ |
| August 29, 2021 | $0.58 | +3¢ |
| July 10, 2022 | $0.60 | +2¢ |
| January 22, 2023 | $0.63 | +3¢ |
| July 9, 2023 | $0.66 | +3¢ |
| January 21, 2024 | $0.68 | +2¢ |
| July 14, 2024 | $0.73 | +5¢ |
| July 13, 2025 | $0.78 | +5¢ |
| July 12, 2026 | $0.82 | +4¢ |
Three Things the Timeline Reveals
1. The price doubled in 19 years. 41¢ to 82¢ is exactly 2x. A stamp bought in 2007 now represents twice the postage you paid for it.
2. 2016 was the only price cut — ever. In April 2016 the rate actually fell from 49¢ to 47¢ after a temporary surcharge expired. It bounced back to 49¢ in January 2017. No other year in the Forever era has seen a decrease.
3. The rise accelerated after 2020. Look at the pace:
- 2007 to 2019 (12 years): 41¢ → 55¢, a rise of 14¢.
- 2019 to 2026 (7 years): 55¢ → 82¢, a rise of 27¢.
Post-2020, the USPS moved to inflation-plus pricing, so increases came faster and more often — including two hikes in each of 2023 and 2024.
What This Means for Your Wallet
Forever stamps never expire, so every rate hike makes the stamps you already hold more valuable.
- Bought 1,000 Forever stamps in 2018 at 50¢ = paid $500. Those same stamps now represent $820 in postage — a $320 gain in postal value.
- Buy at today’s $0.82 rate and you lock it in against whatever the next increase brings.
An Even Better Deal Than Locking In Face Value
You can do better than paying the full $0.82. Discount sellers buy surplus postage in bulk and sell below the current rate — so you can pay 15¢ to 25¢ per stamp instead of 82¢.
See exactly how much you can save on Forever stamps, or browse discount Forever stamps and stock up before the next hike.
Quick Answers
Are 41¢ Forever stamps still good? Yes. Any genuine, unused Forever stamp is worth the current 82¢ rate, no matter what you paid for it.
When did Forever stamps become 82¢? July 12, 2026.
Did Forever stamps exist before 2007? No. The Forever stamp launched in April 2007 at the upcoming 41¢ rate.
Sources: USPS domestic letter-rate history and the USPS 2026 price announcement (Notice 123). Last verified August 2026.