The US Postal Service is the largest postal service in the world,
delivering nearly half of all mail sent globally.  Across the nation,
postal services support commerce, government, and more.  The Postal
Service is the only entity required to deliver mail to the entire US
population, from remote places to city centers. The Postal Service funds
itself, which means that when you buy a stamp or send a package, you're
funding the Postal Service.  As business has gone digital and
competition in the package delivery market has increased, it has become
difficult for the Postal Service to fund itself fully.  The Postal
Service has posted billions of dollars in annual losses since 2007. As
of fiscal year 2020, the Postal Service had $188 billion in unfunded
liabilities, such as retirement benefits and debt to the US Treasury. 
To address these challenges, the Postal Service has taken some steps
like providing increased self-service options and reducing facility
hours.  But legal requirements limit the Postal Service's ability to
change certain service offerings, pricing and employee compensation or
benefits.  Continued inaction will result in deepening financial
problems-putting postal services at risk. As Congress considers the
future of the US Postal Service, it can use our postal primer as a guide
to help them consider the level of postal services the country needs and
how best to fund those services.
Find out more at gao.gov.