USPS to Honor Living Individuals on Stamps (Drops Dead Individual Policy)

Starting next year, Americans will see living individuals– acclaimed musicians, sports stars, writers, artists and other nationally-known figures on US postage stamps.

This means that the US Postal Service is dropping its current policy that an individual, in order to be honored in a stamp, should have been deceased at least five years prior. With the new guidelines, living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration on postage stamps.

The US Postal Service will also tap the public and social media to gather ideas on who to honor. The public can submit the top five living individuals that they would like to see on stamps through Facebook and Twitter.

In explaining the reason for the change in policy, Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General, said:

“This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor. These remarkable individuals — through their transformative achievements in their respective fields — have made enduring contributions to the United States of America. Honoring living individuals expands the interest in stamp topics and keeps our program timely, relevant and contemporary.”

This move from the US Postal Service is expected to expand interest in stamps and the hobby of collecting them.

Hopefully, it can also ignite some interest for people to use the US Postal Service once again and revive the business.