Who really owns the US postal service?

Author: Gilberto Lang  |  Last update: Friday, December 5, 2025

The USPS is often mistaken for a state-owned enterprise or government-owned corporation (e.g., Amtrak) because it operates much like a business. It is, however, an "establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States", (39 U.S.C.

Is the US postal service privately owned?

Congress exercised those powers with the passage of The Post Office Act of 1792, which made the Postal Service a permanent fixture of the Federal Government.

Who has authority over the USPS?

Board of Governors

The Board includes nine Governors appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. The other two members are the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General.

Are U.S. postal workers federal employees?

As a postal worker, you must follow federal rules, and you receive federal benefits. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't consider postal workers federal employees because the postal service is a quasi-federal agency.

Why do postal workers not get Social Security?

Before 1983, postal workers did not pay Social Security taxes. Instead, they paid into the Civil Service Retirement System, or CSRS, a different benefit program. Workers who stayed in CSRS after 1983 cannot collect Social Security benefits.

Who Owns The United States Postal Service? - CountyOffice.org

Are postal workers exempt from federal taxes?

As a Postal Service employee, you are personally responsible for ensuring correct federal, state, and local taxes are deducted from your pay.

Who holds the USPS accountable?

Our Work. The OIG plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and accountability of America's postal service, its revenue and assets, and its employees.

Can the president fire the postmaster general?

Currently, only the Postal Service Board of Governors has the power to appoint or fire the postmaster general, who may serve an unlimited term. The Board of Governors is composed of nine presidential appointees that must be confirmed by the Senate.

What did DeJoy do to the USPS?

In March 2021, DeJoy issued a 10-year plan called "Delivering for America" to stabilize the finances of the Postal Service by slowing first class mail delivery, optimizing transportation networks, cutting post office hours, and raising prices.

Why isn't the USPS funded by the government?

Taxpayer dollars funded its operations, like other federal agencies. But, beginning in the 1970s, the Postal Service largely stopped receiving any taxpayer money. Postal operations are instead funded by sales to you, the postal customer. Now it depends almost entirely on sales to keep the lights on.

What does the constitution say about the post office?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 7: [The Congress shall have Power . . . ] To establish Post Offices and post Roads; . . . 2 The Records of the Federal Convention 308 (Max Farrand ed., 1911) (August 16, 1787).

Who runs the US postal service?

Louis DeJoy is the 75th Postmaster General of the United States and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Postal Service.

How much taxpayer money goes to the USPS?

No, the Postal Service is generally self-funded. This means that no tax dollars are used to keep the lights on at its many facilities across the country. The Postal Service, instead, relies on the revenue it generates from the sale of stamps, products, and services to fund its operations.

How much is a forever stamp worth?

Forever stamps get a 5-cent increase from 68 cents to 73 cents when the price increase goes into effect on Sunday. When Forever stamps were introduced in 2007, they cost 41 cents each. That's a 78% increase in 17 years.

Who is higher than the postmaster?

The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service is comparable to a board of directors of a publicly held corporation. The Board consists of up to nine Governors, the Deputy Postmaster General, and Postmaster General.

What is the postmaster general salary?

How much does a Postmaster General make in California? As of Jan 31, 2025, the average hourly pay for the Postmaster General jobs category in California is $45.66 an hour.

How rich is Louis DeJoy?

As of 2021, Louis DeJoy's net worth is estimated to be around $110 million. While the majority of his wealth can be attributed to his successful professional endeavors, he also possesses valuable assets and investments. DeJoy's financial success is a testament to his astute business acumen and dedication.

Who has authority over the postmaster?

The postmaster general has been authorized by the Board of Governors to exercise the powers of the Postal Service to the full extent that such exercise is lawful.

Is the USPS in debt?

We ended 2023 with $21.6 billion in cash ($8.0 billion in unrestricted cash, $1.6 billion in restricted cash, and $12.0 billion in short-term investments) and $13.0 billion of debt.

Who has control over the postal system?

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service is the governing body of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The board oversees the activities of the Postal Service, while the postmaster general actively manages its day-to-day operations.

Do senators pay taxes on their salary?

FACT: This information is completely false. Members of Congress pay income taxes just like every other American. The U.S. tax code states that everyone who receives revenue must pay an income tax, including Representatives and Senators.

Do postal workers pay Social Security tax?

Beginning in 1989, the Postal Service, and all employees covered under Social Security as listed in 572.11 and CSRS employees who transferred to FERS each pay 7.51 percent of the employee's gross annual earnings (including cost–of–living adjustments and premium pay differentials).

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