I'd heard rumors of yet another postage rate increase (the last one was on Jan. 8, 2006), but I hadn't realized how close we were to an actual change. The U.S. Postal Service recently announced that price changes would occur May 14. Postage for a piece of domestic first-class mail (not over one ounce in weight) would rise from 39 cents to 41 cents. Postage for international first-class mail to most countries would increase from 84 cents to 90 cents.

Complementing these changes is the release of the Forever stamp, "which will always be valid as first-class postage on standard envelopes weighing one ounce or less, regardless of any subsequent increases in the first-class rate." Furthermore, the stamps will always be available for sale at the price of a first-class stamp at the time of purchase.

The USPS helpfully notes that "there are no limits on customer purchases."

Links:
Domestic Rates and Fees (effective May 14, 2007) (USPS)
International Rates, Fees, and Country Listing (effective May 14, 2007) (USPS)

Image: Forever stamp with image of the Liberty Bell.