5 Big Changes Coming to the Post Office in 2025

If approved by the USPS Board of Governors, the price of a Forever stamp will rise to 78 cents on July 13, along with other price increases for certain mail services. The Forever stamp cost just 41 cents when it was introduced in 2007.

3. New stamp designs celebrate nature, art, music and a Golden Girl

Every year the USPS rolls out new stamp designs. The 2025 lineup features images of:​

• Keith Haring artwork. This addition to the Postal Service's popular Love series showcases Haring’s signature style, featuring two of his iconic line-drawn figures dancing under a large red heart. Released Jan. 17.
• Musician Allen Toussaint. The USPS honors the pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer by featuring his portrait as part of its Black Heritage stamp series. Released Jan. 30.
• Nature photographs. New offerings feature scenic views from the 14 states that make up the Appalachian Trail, snow- and ice-covered winter landscapes and close-ups of dahlia blossoms, as well as brightly colored leaves found on maple, oak, aspen and other trees in the U.S. If you prefer a more playful take on nature, you can purchase stamps that show whimsical illustrations of baby wild animals such as a bear, bobcat and skunk. Released Feb. 28.
• Actress Betty White. The stamp features an illustration of the beloved TV star known for roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, Boston Legal and Hot in Cleveland and for being a frequent celebrity guest on Password. Released March 27.
• 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. These stamps will celebrate these branches of the armed services. All three were during the Revolutionary War as the American colonies fought for independence. Release date: to be announced.

4. Your mail may take even longer to arrive

The USPS is scaling back some of its on-time mail delivery targets for the 2025 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025). For instance, it aims to deliver 87 percent of first-class two-day mail and 80 percent of three-to-five-day mail on time, down from its 2024 goals of 93 percent and 90 percent, respectively.

To see delivery speeds in your area, check out the USPS service performance dashboard.

5. Money orders are being redesigned, with enhanced security features

Out with the old, in with the new for money orders. The Postal Service started rolling out redesigned money orders in February featuring a new bank routing number, watermarks and a security thread to help further prevent counterfeiting and other fraudulent activities. A money order is an alternative payment method to cash and personal checks; you can send up to $1,000 in a single order.

The new money orders, which feature a QR code that directs users to usps.com, are red, white and blue, replacing the green, yellow and purple design of the current money orders, which will be sold until stock is depleted.

There will be no price increases for the new money orders. The post office charges $2.35 for money orders up to $500 and $3.40 for money orders from $500.01 to $1,000.

AARP editor Daniel Bortz contributed to this article.