The History of the Forever Stamp

The Forever stamp was introduced on April 12, 2007, at a rate of $0.41. It was USPS's answer to a long-standing customer frustration: buying stamps only to have the rate increase a few months later, rendering the stamps insufficient for a one-ounce letter.

Why USPS Created the Forever Stamp

Before 2007, every rate increase triggered a rush on "make-up" stamps—small-denomination stamps used to supplement old first-class stamps that were no longer enough on their own. USPS spent millions printing these supplemental stamps. The Forever stamp eliminated the need for make-up stamps entirely.

Forever Stamp Price History

A Forever stamp bought in 2007 for $0.41 is worth $0.82 today—double its purchase price. That is the power of Forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Were Forever stamps immediately popular when they launched?

Forever stamps became a standard choice because buyers did not need to add make-up postage solely after a one-ounce rate increase. This guide does not rely on an unverified first-year sales total.

Has the Forever stamp rate ever decreased?

Once, temporarily. In April 2016, the rate dropped from $0.49 to $0.47 when an exigent surcharge expired. It returned to $0.49 in January 2017. This remains the only decrease in Forever stamp history.

Do other countries have Forever-equivalent stamps?

Many countries issue nondenominated stamps, but few use the "Forever" branding. Canada, the UK, and several European countries have similar concepts for domestic letter-rate stamps.