The Postal Regulatory Commission approved a request by the Postal Service for an exigent rate increase to offset losses suffered as a result of the Great Recession of 2008 – 2009.

The 4.3 percent exigent rate increases are scheduled to be implemented in conjunction with the inflation-based rate adjustment of 1.7 percent (one cent for ordinary mailers), which was earlier approved by the Commission.  The overall adjustment is 6.0 percent (a total of 3 cents from 2013 rates, or 49 cents).