New stamp would deliver at the same cost forever

WASHINGTON -- Not just diamonds are forever. Add stamps to the list. The post office is planning a ''forever" stamp for letters, good no matter how many times postal rates increase.

That means people could say goodbye to those annoying 2- or 3-cent stamps that have to be added to letters every time rates go up.

The idea for the special stamps, which would be sold at the same price as other first-class stamps, was included in proposals announced yesterday that would also raise stamp prices 3 cents -- to 42 cents -- next year.

The idea must still pass muster with the independent Postal Rate Commission, but that shouldn't be a major problem since commission member Ruth Goldway urged the post office to consider such a stamp a year ago.

Raising postal rates is a complex process that takes nearly a year, meaning consumers would have plenty of time to get the special stamps when they knew an increase was coming. Hoarding isn't expected to be a problem.

Here's how it would work: If the 3-cent increase takes effect next year, the forever stamp would be made available for 42 cents, the same as other first-class stamps. If the first-class rate were to rise to 45 cents in a few years, the 42-cent forever stamp would still be honored for postage on letters.

Once the new price took effect, forever stamps would then sell for 45 cents.