The price of a first-class stamp will rise to 44 cents on May 11. That gives plenty of time to stock up on Forever Stamps, which will continue to sell at the current 42-cent rate until the increase occurs. They will remain valid in the future regardless of rate hikes.
Postage rates go up annually in May, with the new prices announced in February. The overall change is tied to the rate of inflation in the year before. Buffeted by rising costs and declining mail volume, the Postal Service lost $2.8 billion last year and, unless the economy turns around, is headed toward much larger losses this year. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210/ap_on_go_ot/postal_rates
