USPS News 2026
The fastest-moving USPS stories covered from the angle that actually matters to postal employees: what it means for your paycheck, your pension, and your job. Not corporate press releases. Not headlines recycled from wire services. First-hand analysis from current USPS employees.
Every major story — FERS contribution suspensions, stamp price changes, Amazon deal shifts, layoffs and RIF rumors, the financial crisis, COLA updates, contract negotiations — gets the same treatment: what happened, what it actually affects, and what you should do about it. Guides and reference material are mixed in below; use the filters to narrow by category or craft.
USPS Financial Crisis 2026: What It Means for Postal Employees
USPS could run out of cash by early 2027. Your pension is safe, your TSP is untouchable, but payroll disruption is a real risk. Here’s what you need to know.
USPS Supervisor Job Fair Is September 13
Who can attend, how to register through MyHR, and how to prepare for the off-the-clock event.
Injured Postal Workers Could Gain More OWCP Provider Options
S.3296 would let nurse practitioners and physician assistants diagnose, treat and certify FECA injuries. It has cleared committee but is not yet law.
USPS Holiday Shipping Prices Rise Again October 4
The new peak-season package increases will stack on top of the 8% transportation-related increase already in effect. What customers and postal employees should expect.
USPS Retirement Incentive Check Was Due August 28
No systemwide delay has been confirmed. If an eligible retiree cannot locate the paper check, the trace starts with the last employing office.
APWU Has Another Pay Change September 19
One pay period after the COLA, Grades 4–7 gain new top steps and the night-differential schedules change. The Grade 3 upgrade was a separate earlier item.
15 Proposals That Could Reshape USPS Pay, Pensions and Staffing
The OIG modeled career-conversion freezes, VERA, RIFs, pension changes, bargaining rollbacks, retail outsourcing and five-day delivery. These are scenarios, not approved plans.
2027 COLA Projection: What CSRS & FERS Retirees Could Get
Tracking at 3.1% for CSRS and 2.1% for FERS after the July 2026 CPI-W release. How it is calculated, why FERS gets less, and the timeline to the October announcement. Updated monthly.
“We Are Out of Cash”: What the PMG Told the Senate
Postmaster General Steiner testified USPS is out of cash and borrowing from retirement funds. He put hard numbers on five-day delivery, post office closures, and a shift toward more pre-career jobs.
NPMHU Hits Impasse — Arbitration Likely for Mail Handlers
NPMHU Contract Update #16 says the union initiated interest arbitration on August 12 and the parties were discussing selection of a neutral arbitrator.
NALC Contract Expired — Mediation Window Now Closed
The 2023–2026 agreement expired May 22 without a deal, and the statutory 60-day mediation period has elapsed. Follow the official NALC bargaining page for the next negotiated-agreement or arbitration notice.
APWU Livestream Recap: “Are We Broke or Is There Hope?”
President Smith’s full breakdown of the FERS suspension, why it’s a deferment not a theft, and the three congressional fixes APWU says could solve the situation. Don’t panic — here’s why.
USPS Suspends FERS Employer Contributions: What It Means for Your Pension
All four unions responded. Your pension accrual, employee contributions, and TSP are NOT affected — but the cash crisis driving this is real.
USPS Stamp Prices Rose to 82 Cents on July 12
Forever stamp up 4 cents. Overall mailing prices up 4.8%. What window clerks need to know and how it fits the financial crisis.
Amazon-USPS Deal 2026: What the New Agreement Means for Postal Workers
USPS keeps 80% of Amazon deliveries — over 1 billion packages. The 20% volume cut and what it signals for staffing and the cash crisis.
USPS W-2 and Taxes: How to Read Your W-2 and Common Deductions
Box 12 codes, FERS contributions, TSP tax treatment, overtime myths, and deductions most postal workers miss.
USPS LWOP: How Leave Without Pay Affects Your Benefits and Retirement
The 6-month retirement credit rule, health insurance continuation, TSP gaps, step increase delays, and how to minimize damage.
Mail Handler Pay Scale 2026: NPMHU Grades, Steps & MHA Rates
Grade 4 and 5 rates for Table 1 and Table 2, MHA hourly pay, step progression, and contract negotiation status.
FERS Disability Retirement for Postal Workers: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply
Only 18 months of service required. 60% of high-3 the first year, 40% after. OWCP comparison, the application process, and common denial reasons.
Night Differential and Sunday Premium: Complete Guide
Craft-specific night rates, the APWU September 19 adjustment, Sunday-premium eligibility, and a corrected calculator using your published hourly differential.
CCA to Career Conversion: Timeline, Pay Change, and Benefits
The 24-month timeline, the $3–5/hour pay jump, full PSHB, TSP matching, and every benefit that changes when you convert.
New USPS Employee Guide: Your First 90 Days
Probation rules, benefits enrollment windows, TSP auto-enrollment, union membership, uniform allowance, and what nobody tells you.
USPS Annual Leave Buyback at Retirement: How It Works
Cashing out unused annual leave can mean $10,000–$20,000+. How the lump sum is calculated, how it’s taxed, and how to time it right.
FEHB vs PSHB: What Changed and How to Pick the Right Plan
The transition confused hundreds of thousands of employees. Compare plans, costs, coverage networks, and the Medicare cost trap for retirees.
USPS Ballot-Mail Restrictions Blocked by Preliminary Injunction
The September 4 order replaces the temporary block. The administration has renewed its Supreme Court request; employees should follow current written USPS instructions.
How to Read Your PS Form 50: Every Block Explained
The most important document in your personnel file, decoded. Which blocks control your pay, benefits, and retirement.
USPS Step Increases Explained: When You Move Up and How Much
Waiting periods by craft, Schedule 1 vs 2, what each step is worth, and how to check your next step date.
APWU Pay Scale 2026: September 5 Rates
Updated career annual and PTF rates, with current and legacy schedules kept separate.
USPS Layoffs 2026: Could a Reduction in Force Actually Happen?
Steiner hasn’t ruled out involuntary layoffs. Article 6 protections by union, EAS vulnerability, and what to do now.
USPS Announces 8% Shipping Surcharge Starting April 26
First-ever fuel surcharge outside peak season. Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select affected. Stamps unchanged.
APWU Retroactive Pay April 2026: What You Need to Know
Back pay covering Nov 2024 – Aug 2025 hit April 10 paychecks. Who got it, how much, and how it’s taxed.
NALC Contract Negotiations 2026: What Carriers Should Watch For
Bargaining opened Feb 25 against the worst financial crisis in USPS history. Wages, COLAs, overtime, and more.
Will USPS Offer Another VERA in 2026?
10,500 took the 2025 early out. With the cash crisis deepening, another round is likely. Here’s how to prepare.
USPS Post Office Closures 2026: What Employees Need to Know
Steiner says closures are on the table. Which offices are at risk, the legal process, and what it means for your job.
Could USPS Go to 5-Day Delivery?
Steiner says it’s “on the table.” What reduced delivery days would mean for routes, overtime, and staffing.
Postal Pulse Survey 2026: What You Need to Know
The survey runs March 10 – April 17. How it works, whether it’s anonymous, and why this year matters more.
APWU September COLA Is Now Effective
September 5 rates are now in the calculator. The first affected paycheck is September 25.
Understanding Your USPS Pay Stub: Every Line Explained
A line-by-line breakdown of your earnings statement. What every deduction means and how to spot errors.
How USPS Sick Leave Converts to Retirement Credit
Every 2,087 hours adds a year to your FERS annuity. Here’s the math and why you should stop burning sick leave near retirement.
USPS Overtime Rules: OT, V-Time, Sunday Premium & More
How overtime, penalty OT, night differential, Sunday premium, and holiday pay are calculated.
TSP Funds Explained: G, F, C, S, and I
Plain-English guide to the five TSP funds. What each invests in, historical returns, risk, and common mistakes.
Military Service Buyback: Add Military Time to Your Retirement
Veterans at USPS can buy back military time to boost their pension. How it works, what it costs, and why waiting costs more.
PSHB Explained: Health Benefits for Postal Employees
FEHB is gone. Here’s how PSHB works — Medicare Part B requirements, who’s exempt, and what it costs.
Social Security for Postal Employees: When to Claim
Claiming at 62 vs 67 vs 70, the FERS supplement, break-even math, and how SS fits into your retirement income.
FERS Retirement Guide: 4 Paths to Your Pension
MRA+30, Age 60+20, Age 62+20, and MRA+10. Annuity calculations, survivor benefits, and examples.
How to Calculate Your USPS Take-Home Pay in 2026
Complete deduction walkthrough: FERS, Social Security, Medicare, federal tax, FEHB, TSP, and premium pay.
Labor Day Is September 7 in Pay Period 20
PP20 is paid September 25. Check the full 2026 calendar and why holiday-pay eligibility differs for regular, PTF and noncareer employees.