By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer Mon Mar 19, 5:38 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The cost of mailing a letter will go up on May 14, but you'll be able to lock in that price - no matter how rates rise in the future - by buying the new "forever" stamp. The post office governing board agreed Monday to accept the new 41-cent rate for first class mail recommended in February by the independent Postal Regulatory Commission. The board also agreed to the proposal for a "forever stamp," that will always be valid for mailing a letter no matter how much rates increase.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070319/ap_on_go_ot/postal_rates
The rates taking effect May 14 include:
Letters, bill payments, greeting cards: 41 cents for the first ounce, up from 39 cents.
Postcard, 26 cents, up from 24 cents.
Priority mail flat-rate envelope, $4.60, up from $4.05.
Express Mail flat-rate envelope, $16.25, up from $14.40.
Parcel Post, 1-pound package, $4.50, up from 3.95.