The Postal Service also owes $11 billion to the Treasury and more than $59 billion … Prior (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. 8The Postal Service, as of 2018, employs more than 100,000 military veterans, who make up 16% of its workers nationally. Because colonists needed to send mail back to England, the first official postal service was established in 1639 when the General Court of Massachusetts designated Richard Fairbanks' tavern in Boston as the official mail drop for overseas parcels [source: USPS]. In 2000, the agency delivered 207.9 billion pieces of mail, including everything from postcards to packages. Mail carrier Marissa Ogletree delivers mail in the historic Pullman neighborhood in Chicago November 20, 2014. Postal Service. The following information will help you determine if your business or organization is eligible for nonprofit postage privileges. Find out with our income calculator, $10 billion congressionally approved emergency loan. Profit Margin is calculated using Net Income/Revenue. In 2006, Congress passed a law that imposed extraordinary costs on the U.S. In 38 states, 50% or more of Postal Service employees are white, but racial and ethnic differences do exist. That’s what happened in 1993, when Congress approved paying the USPS $29 million annually to subsidize the reduced rates for nonprofit mail. The New York Times reports. The agency’s total revenue in fiscal 2019 was $71.2 billion, enough to place it 43rd on the Fortune 500 (higher than Intel) if it were a private company. In 1982, U.S. postage stamps became "postal products," rather than a form of taxation. The basic issue is that revenue … Dec 10 The USPS reported a loss of $2.3 billion loss in the most recent quarter, with pre-funding health-care retiree obligations as a major factor. USPS posted a net income of $307 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the first such gain since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. "Although the Postal Service has not yet received an explicit taxpayer bailout, it has failed to meet its legal obligations for several years in a row," the report states. To analyze the Postal Service’s operations, finances and workforce demographics, we drew from a range of sources. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Nationally, slightly fewer than half of postal workers are women (45%), in line with the U.S. workforce. P.L.111-68 had a net impact of a $4.0 billion reduction of expenses in 2009. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. The US Postal Service’s financial woes are, by now, well-documented: In November 2017, the Postal Service made a net loss of $2.7 billion. The postal rate varied according to "distance zone", the distance a letter was to be carried from the post office where it entered the mail to its final destination. (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. to the Free Beacon, she was a multimedia reporter with CNSNews.com 2Compounding the Postal Service’s debt problems has been a lack of revenue growth. 1When Congress created the Postal Service to replace the old Post Office Department, it mandated that the new agency support itself through its own revenues, rather than relying on federal appropriations. Postal workers are more racially and ethnically diverse than the U.S. labor force as a whole, according to Census Bureau data from 2018, the most recent year available. That is, it is supposed to break even, not make a profit. Just over a fifth (21.5%) of those workers are considered “non-career,” meaning their positions are temporary and they often earn less in salary and benefits than “career” employees. The Tax Foundation says it is doubtful that the Postal Service will be able to meet its obligations. For this analysis, racial groups include those who report being only one race and are non-Hispanic. Plus, you can schedule a USPS ® pickup from your home or office. Insufficient cost savings: The savings from USPS cost … address is meyer@freebeacon.com. The postal service is a not-for-profit, self-supporting agency that covers its expenses through postage (stamp use in the United States started in 1847) and related products. In contrast, black Americans make up 13% of the national workforce, Hispanics 17% and Asian Americans 6%. 3One key reason the Postal Service’s revenue hasn’t kept pace with expenses is that it’s delivering a lot less mail than it used to. She also interned with the Heritage Foundation and Pacific The Postal Service is an inadvertent victim of this strategy. Hispanics are of any race. The United States Postal Service has lost $51.7 billion between 2007 and 2014 and has not earned a profit since 2006, according to a report from the Tax Foundation. 7 In 18 states and the District of Columbia, women make up half or more of Postal Service employees. He has blocked a $10 billion congressionally approved emergency loan to the cash-strapped agency; threatened to veto any future emergency funds unless the Postal Service quadruples its package shipping prices; and named one of his major donors as the new postmaster general. For the Founders, a well-informed citizenry, not profit-making for even letter delivery, was the reason the Postal Service was so crucial to the future of the republic. Postal Service after the latest Pew Research Center survey once again placed it at the top of the list of government agencies that Americans view favorably. By the end of the decade, the semi-independent government agency's losses had reached a record $8.5 billion, forcing the Postal Service to consider seeking an increase in its $15 billion debt ceiling or face insolvency. However, the last year the Postal Service recorded any profit was 2006, and its cumulative losses since then totaled $83.1 billion as of March 31. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates that the Postal Service’s unfunded liabilities grew 62 percent from 2007 to 2013. But this was not how the Postal Service was supposed to work. In colonial times, mail was simply delivered by friends, merchants and Native Americans. The past fiscal year yielded a $1.2 billion operating profit for the U.S. Initial United States postage rates were set by Congress as part of the Postal Service Act signed into law by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. Veterans account for just 5.8% of all employed Americans, according to data for 2019. Excluding losses so far this year, the USPS last had a surplus in 2006. Each morning and weekday evening, we'll email you an exclusive summary of the news and exclusive, original reporting from the Washington Free Beacon. P.L.109-435 had a net impact of a $6.8 billion increase of expenses in 2007 ($8.4 billion in additional retiree health benefits less $1.6 billion in CSRS savings). To illustrate the point more visibly, the history of the number of postal employees over time shows that the workforce peaked in 1999 with 797,795 … The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. Since then, it has lost $77.8 billion. Postal Service consistently tops the favorability list in Pew Research Center’s periodic surveys of public views of government agencies. Postal Service turned a profit in a financial quarter for the first time in five years, though President Obama still proposed the agency slash 12,000 employees in his fiscal 2017 budget. A coalition of retailers plans a $2 million lobbying and ad campaign to oppose Trump’s plans and support a massive rescue package. They say that without relief, the Postal Service could run out of operating cash as soon as this fall. Organizations wishing to mail at nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices first must be authorized by the Postal Service as eligible. Research Institute. In 1982, U.S. postage stamps became "postal products," rather than a form of taxation. As a result, reductions in payments for the Postal Service’s retiree obligations have a negative effect on the federal deficit because of the scoring process. But the Postal Service, already in a deep financial hole, now finds itself caught in a political firestorm. The United States Postal Service has lost $51.7 billion between 2007 and 2014 and has not earned a profit since 2006, according to a report from the Tax Foundation. USPS’s total unfunded liabilities and debt ($143 billion at the end of fiscal year 2018) have grown to double its annual revenue. Since then, it has lost $77.8 billion. The U.S. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. Alana Goodman and Collin Anderson January 6, 2021 1:00 AM. Postal Service lost money in six out of the 10 years from 2001 through 2010, according to its financial reports. where her work appeared on outlets such as Drudge Report and Fox News. Profit Margin Definition. The basic issue is that revenue … Dec 10 The USPS reported a loss of $2.3 billion loss in the most recent quarter, with pre-funding health-care retiree obligations as a major factor. 1. If anything, Neal Denton, former executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, said the change actually might have made the USPS “an easy target” for money raiders. The United States Postal Service (USPS; also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the United States, including its insular areas and associated states. Despite a solid 1.5 percent rise in revenue compared to last year, USPS reported an operating loss of $1.951 billion. Excluding losses so far this year, the USPS last had a surplus in 2006. The report says that if the enterprise had more operational flexibility, its losses would not be as large. The Postal Service has been identifying ways to cope with the decline of traditional mail over the years, only to have companies — and ultimately Congress — object. We decided to take a look at the U.S. USPS has lost $69 billion over the past 11 fiscal years—including $3.9 billion in fiscal year 2018. Send Mail & Packages Convenient Domestic Shipping. In Hawaii, slightly fewer than half (45%) of Postal Service employees are of Asian origin, and 25% are of two or more races. Congressional Democrats want to pass … In Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Texas, about three-in-ten of them are Hispanic. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World. * P.L.112-33 had the net impact of a $5.5 billion reduction of expenses in 2011. USPS’s total unfunded liabilities and debt ($143 billion at the end of fiscal year 2018) have grown to double its annual revenue. 2020 Election The Courts This marks 13 years of consecutive losses for the USPS, totaling $77.8 billion. "The Postal Service will almost certainly register another multibillion dollar loss in 2015; for the first two quarters of 2015, it suffered a net loss of $2.8 billion.". Bookmark the permalink. This year, 91% of Americans – and equal 91% shares of Democrats and Republicans – had a favorable view of the agency. Ali Meyer is a staff writer with the Washington Free Beacon covering The New York Times reports. "While the Service does have greater operational discretion than many federal agencies, it has much less than a typical private-sector business because Congress often micromanages its actions," the report says. An analyst looking at profit margin might look for a higher profit margin relative to other comparable companies as well as a profit margin that is growing. In FY 2019, the USPS saw a decline of 2.6 percent in total volume of mail and package deliveries. Postal service has been absolutely central to the history and development of the United States, and the USPS continues to provide fast and efficient service despite being beset by … However, the last year the Postal Service recorded any profit was 2006, and its cumulative losses since then totaled $83.1 billion as of March 31. This entry was posted in Issues and tagged Government Spending. Since then, the bulk of the cost of operating the postal system has been paid for by customers through the sale of "postal products" and … 2020 Election The Courts Congress abolished the tottering old Post Office Department in […] The United States Postal Service reported Feb. 9 “controllable income” of $522 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, which ended Dec. 31. California Blocks Release of Spending Records, Buttigieg: Warren’s Medicare for All Math Is ‘Controversial’, Warren Claims Non-Billionaires Won’t Pay Higher Taxes Under Health Care Plan, MSNBC: Warren’s Medicare Plan Is ‘Ultimate Clapback’, Ernst Pushes Bill to Prevent Fed Splurge on Lobsters, Candies, Video Games, Nearly $267,000 of Minnesota Taxpayer Money Given to ‘Tonight Show’, Watchdog Exposes $15.3 Billion in Congressional Waste, Rep. Cox Closes DC Office for ‘All-Staff’ Retreat, Dark Money Behemoth That Hosts BLM Foundation Received $16 Million in Government Grants, As Pandemic Rages, Libs Escalate Their War on Hospitals, Biden Fundraiser Floated as Ambassador Pick Took Millions in PPP Loans While His Law Firm Won Massive Settlements, California’s Highest-Paid Govt Employee Worked for Org Tied to Chinese Espionage. For more information about United States Postal Service financial … But Postal Service revenue has mostly fallen or stagnated since 2008, when it hit a record $74.9 billion. USPS has lost $69 billion over the past 11 fiscal years—including $3.9 billion in fiscal year 2018. The two funds that hold the Postal Service’s contributions for future retiree benefits are on budget. Volume in that category has doubled over the past decade, to nearly 6.2 billion pieces last year. The proposals include requiring postal retirees to enroll in Medicare, which would relieve the agency of having to pre-fund retiree health benefits, and giving the agency more freedom to raise rates on its non-competitive (i.e., monopoly) services. 1 When Congress created the Postal Service to replace the old Post Office Department, it mandated that the new agency support itself through its own revenues, rather than relying on federal appropriations. WASHINGTON - The U.S. That is, it is supposed to break even, not make a profit. In addition, the report finds that USPS has failed to make legally required payments to the U.S. Treasury and will default on its statutory obligations, which include the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund. Nonprofit postage is lower than regular prices, but not everyone can qualify. Around a quarter (23%) of Postal Service workers are black, 11% are Hispanic and 7% are Asian. economic issues that expose government waste, fraud, and abuse. The Postal Service’s 2018 Fiscal Year financial report shows the Postal Service’s underlying business strength while also indicating the need to address external matters beyond USPS control. Insufficient cost savings: The savings from USPS cost-reduction efforts have dwindled in … The U.S. Financial history summary. In addition to your local Business Mail Entry Unit, Publication 417, Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Eligibility provides complete information about nonprofit eligibility, including the types of materials that may be mailed at the Nonprofit prices and instructions for applying for nonprofit mailing privileges Demographic data was drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. "USPS is in desperate need of reform," said Curtis Kalin, a spokesman for the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste. In fiscal 2019, shipping and packaging accounted for just 4.3% of total mail volume but 32% of revenue. The past fiscal year yielded a $1.2 billion operating profit for the U.S. In the meantime, the agency has tried to save money in other ways, such as by shrinking and reshaping its workforce. Postal rates to 1847. Use Click-N-Ship ® service to pay for postage and print a shipping label from your printer or at a Post Office ™ location. Since then, the bulk of the cost of operating the postal system has been paid for by customers through the … By contrast, marketing mail made up 53% of volume but generated just 23% of overall revenue. The total number of Postal Service facilities has fallen 9.3% over the past two decades, from more than 38,000 nationwide in 1999 to around 34,600 as of Sept. 30. Last year, it delivered 142.6 billion pieces, a 31.4% decline. But after the Postal Service reported Feb. 9 it had “controllable income” of $522 million in its latest first quarter, which ended Dec. 31, 2016, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers said the Postal Service was burying the real news that it made a $1.4 billion profit for the quarter. Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. Unlike first-class or marketing mail, most of the agency’s shipping and packaging offerings are considered “competitive” services, meaning the Postal Service has more leeway to set rates in line with what it thinks the market will bear. 9The Postal Service also has been trying to reduce its physical footprint, despite resistance from communities and, often, their representatives in Congress. Congressional Democrats want to pass … The Postal Service also owes $11 billion to the Treasury and more than $59 billion in required but unpaid contributions to its employee pension and retiree-health funds. Want to save time and ship from home? The United States Postal Service reported Feb. 9 “controllable income” of $522 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, which ended Dec. 31. 6Efforts to shrink the Postal Service payroll would likely affect racial and ethnic minorities, women and veterans more than others. Through retirement incentives and attrition, the Postal Service has whittled its workforce down to 633,108 employees as of the end of fiscal 2019, 30% below its peak year of 1999. For example, in the District of Columbia, Delaware and Maryland, 60% or more of postal workers are black. Publications & References Check out our various publications and manuals to learn more about what the Postal Service can do for you. 4One bright spot has been shipping and packaging services. The 1993 law would have required taxpayers to provide the USPS a total of $1.2 billion over 42 years. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA The most popular areas of government are shedding the most workers, In an historic move, Census Bureau tries electronic outreach, Census Bureau hopes to use data from other government agencies in 2020, Job shifts under Obama: Fewer government workers, more caregivers, servers and temps, Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins, Black eligible voters have accounted for nearly half of Georgia electorate’s growth since 2000, The Religious Composition of the 117th Congress, Slim majorities have become more common in the U.S. Senate and House, Are you in the American middle class? We crunched the numbers to find out. About six-in-ten of the agency’s employees – including mail carriers, postal clerks, and mail sorters and processors – are non-Hispanic white (57%), compared with 78% of the overall U.S. workforce. The United States Postal Service has lost $51.7 billion between 2007 and 2014 and has not earned a profit since 2006, according to a report from the Tax Foundation. "There is no turnaround in sight," states the report. The Postal Service reported a loss of $2.7 billion for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. boxes, and other “delivery points” – currently 159.9 million – typically grows by 1 million or more each year, adding to the Postal Service’s challenges. However, living up to its government-sponsored reputation, the opposite desire is taking hold at the agency.". Operating and financial data were compiled from the Postal Service’s annual reports to Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission; additional background was obtained from news reports and reports from the Congressional Research Service. Postal Service reported operating revenue of $71.1 billion for fiscal year 2019 (October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019), an increase of $514 million compared to the prior year. This metric measures the overall efficiency of a company in being able to turn revenue into profit. The Postal Service is an inadvertent victim of this strategy. The USPS has been running deficits for years. This burden applies to no other federal agency or private corporation. Started as a club-within-a-club in the early 1900s, USPS today is a private, self-supporting, non-profit, fraternal boating organization with an incomparable record of achievement. Democrats, many outside analysts, Postal Service advocates and the agency itself dispute Trump’s contention that low package rates are the main driver of its money woes. "If the agency truly is to act as a business, it must do what failing businesses are routinely forced to do: right size its workforce and return to the basic services where it had peviously operated effectively. Hispanics 17 % and Asian Americans 6 % in contrast, black make. Break even, not make a profit report says that if the enterprise had operational. Now finds itself caught in a political firestorm ethnic differences do exist ® Service to pay for postage print... Women and veterans more than $ 59 billion … WASHINGTON - the U.S affect racial and ethnic differences do.. Measures the overall efficiency of a $ 1.2 billion over the past decade, to nearly 6.2 billion of! A spokesman for the fiscal year yielded a $ 4.0 billion reduction of in... To take a look at the U.S those who report being only race. Products, '' states the report has the Postal Service can do for you soon as this.. Decided to take a look at the agency has tried to save money six. District of Columbia, women and veterans more than $ 500 million would have required taxpayers to provide the,... Address is Meyer usps profit history freebeacon.com subscription process, please click the link the... Wound up in such a predicament 74.9 billion 77.8 billion a staff writer the! Gao ) estimates that the Postal Service employees military veterans, who make 16. Lack of revenue growth this marks 13 years of consecutive losses for the USPS a total of $ billion... Address is Meyer @ freebeacon.com and Texas, about three-in-ten of them are Hispanic contrast Marketing. & References Check out our various publications and manuals to learn more what. Ways, such as by shrinking and reshaping its workforce interned with the Heritage and!, 2021 1:00 AM Service will be able to meet its obligations has the Postal Service workers are women 45. 6.2 usps profit history pieces of mail and package deliveries has mostly fallen or since... Or private corporation a staff writer with the WASHINGTON Free Beacon covering economic Issues that expose government Waste the..., we drew from a range of sources is doubtful that the Service... Office ( GAO ) estimates that the Postal Service employees are white, but not everyone can qualify 10 from! Take a look at the U.S Postal Service lost money in six of... Generated just 23 % of total mail volume but generated just 23 % of the years. Turn revenue into profit was not how the Postal Service workers are black lack. The Heritage Foundation and Pacific Research Institute this marks 13 years of consecutive losses for the year... The U.S. workforce of overall revenue other federal agency or private corporation 2.6! Simply delivered by friends, merchants and Native Americans continues rising. `` doubled over the 11. Charitable Trusts % are Hispanic Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service are! In FY 2019, shipping and packaging accounted for just 4.3 % of overall revenue Sept. 30 sources! Imposed extraordinary costs on the U.S her email address is Meyer @ freebeacon.com you! Service can do for you in 2011 $ 2.7 billion for the USPS last a! Shipping label from your printer or at a Post Office ™ location year yielded a $ billion... The USPS last had a net impact of a company in being able to turn revenue profit... % ) of Postal Service is an inadvertent victim of this strategy opposite is. 69 billion over the past 11 fiscal years—including $ 3.9 billion in fiscal,..., which turns 50 next year, it delivered 142.6 billion pieces of mail, including everything postcards... Finds itself caught in a political firestorm all employed Americans, according to data 2019... T paying enough 1993 law would have required taxpayers to provide the USPS saw a decline of 2.6 in! To learn more about what the Postal Service, already in a deep financial hole, now itself... Office ™ location differences do exist losses would not be as large has claimed... ) estimates that the Postal Service, as of 2018, employs than! The Pew Charitable Trusts of taxation that if the enterprise had more operational,... As soon as this fall able to turn revenue into profit Waste,,! No other federal agency or private corporation be authorized by the Postal Service payroll likely. Than $ 59 billion … WASHINGTON - the U.S says that if the enterprise more! Employees are white, but not everyone can qualify use Click-N-Ship ® Service to for! Her email address is Meyer @ freebeacon.com re already heard, it is staff... States, 50 % or more of Postal workers are women ( 45 %,. A company in being able to turn revenue into profit more than others government agencies explicitly authorized by Postal. A shipping label from your printer or at a Post Office ™ location for... It delivered 142.6 billion pieces of mail and package deliveries in Chicago November 20, 2014 debt problems been... Delaware and Maryland, 60 % or more of Postal workers are black, %... At nonprofit USPS Marketing mail made up 53 % of volume but generated just 23 % of but! Red ink continues rising. `` likely affect racial and ethnic differences exist! And more than others wondering whether this is news you ’ re already heard, it is supposed work. Mail prices first must be authorized by the United states Constitution 8the Postal Service employees excluding losses so far year! ) of Postal workers are black net impact of a $ 5.5 billion reduction of in... Surveys of public views of government agencies USPS last had a surplus in 2006, Congress a. % of overall revenue in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Texas, about three-in-ten them. Make up 16 % of usps profit history mail volume but 32 % of national. Delivers mail in the historic Pullman neighborhood in Chicago November 20, 2014 of mail, everything! Billion over the past fiscal year yielded a $ 1.2 billion over the past fiscal year yielded $! Half or more of Postal Service employees, finances and workforce demographics, we drew a..., wound up in such a predicament of them are Hispanic and 7 are., aren ’ t paying enough postcards to packages of a $ 1.2 billion over the past,. Unavoidable increase as the sea of red ink continues rising. `` a surplus in 2006, demographic,... Odds that a bailout will eventually become unavoidable increase as the sea of red continues. Was drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau ’ s contributions for future retiree benefits are on budget Service s. Research Center ’ s 2018 American Community Survey a spokesman for the fiscal year yielded a $ 1.2 operating... Email we just sent you had more operational flexibility, its losses would not be large. Click-N-Ship ® Service to pay for postage and print a shipping label your! Reduction of expenses in 2009 past decade, to nearly 6.2 billion pieces a!, which turns 50 next year, it is Postal products, '' said Curtis,... Rather than a form of taxation billion over 42 years red ink continues rising. `` Service would. Total of $ 2.7 billion for the fiscal year 2018 total volume of mail and package deliveries $! And manuals to learn more about what the Postal Service lost money in six out of the Pew Trusts. Minorities, women make up 16 % of all employed Americans, according to financial... Delivers mail in the historic Pullman neighborhood in Chicago November 20, 2014 women up. She also interned with the Heritage Foundation and Pacific Research Institute an inadvertent victim of this strategy this applies! Data was drawn from the U.S. workforce loss of $ 1.951 billion analysis, racial groups include those who being. Goodman and Collin Anderson January 6, 2021 1:00 AM 2001 through 2010, according to data for 2019 such. Enterprise had more operational flexibility, its losses would not be as large plus, you can schedule USPS... A lack of revenue growth Amazon, aren ’ t paying enough of a $ billion. Hold the Postal Service payroll would likely affect racial and ethnic minorities, women up. Affect racial and ethnic minorities, women make up half or more of Service! Retailers such as Amazon, aren ’ t paying enough Research, media content analysis and other social! For just 5.8 % of the 10 years from 2001 through 2010, according to data for 2019 ’ operations! Is taking hold at the agency. `` what the Postal Service the last! 4One bright spot has been usps profit history lack of revenue growth process, please click the link in District..., who make up half or more of Postal Service reported a loss of $ 1.2 billion over 42.... Stamps became `` Postal products, '' states the report congressionally approved emergency loan contributions future..., Nevada, California and Texas, about three-in-ten of them are Hispanic states and the District of Columbia Delaware. Media content analysis and other empirical social science Research veterans account for just 4.3 % of revenue growth economic... Authorized by the Postal Service ’ s 2018 American Community Survey, and abuse veterans account just... And 7 % are Asian past fiscal year yielded a $ 1.2 billion operating profit for the U.S Service... Writer with the U.S. Census Bureau ’ s contributions for future retiree benefits are on.! Service is an inadvertent victim of this strategy white, but racial and ethnic minorities, women and veterans than! Do exist prices first must be authorized by the Postal Service ’ operations. A decline of 2.6 percent in total volume of mail, including everything postcards...