Talk of postal finances inevitably turns to the U.S. Postal Service’s retiree pension assets and obligations. With nearly $279 billion in assets, yet $41 billion below their estimated liabilities, the pension plans are a huge part of the USPS portfolio.
Our office has looked at ways to address the Postal Service’s long-term pension and health liabilities, focusing recently on ways to invest assets so they yield higher returns while minimizing risk.
In today’s world of package tracking and interconnectivity, an email from the U.S. Postal Service or even our Inspector General regarding mail delivery might seem legitimate.
That’s what the scammers want you to think. Unfortunately, some postal customers are getting bogus emails purporting to be from the Postal Service about an attempted or intercepted package delivery or online postage charges. These emails contain a link or attachment that, when opened, installs a malicious virus that can steal personal information from your personal computer.
Safety first. This mantra of parents everywhere is also a cornerstone of U.S. Postal Service internal policies and federal regulations on facility maintenance to provide a safe and healthy workplace for its employees.
Our latest audit reviewed whether management adhered to building safety, maintenance, and security standards at mail processing facilities. We found concerns, ranging from minor oversight infractions to more serious issues.
Service is in the name, so you know it’s important. Indeed, U.S. Postal Service managers place service performance at the top of their priority list – sometimes even over the financial health of the agency, our recent audit...
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Zero Base sounds like the first acclimation stop on a climb up Mount Everest. It’s actually an important program to help the U.S. Postal Service control costs in its Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) program.
The PVS fleet transports mail primarily within a 50-mile radius: between processing...
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It seems a simple equation: processing costs should decrease as mail volumes decline. Except that’s not happening. And it’s hurting the U.S. Postal Service’s bottom line.
The Postal Service has not been able to lower mail processing costs at its 285 plants to match decreasing mail volumes...
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The Postal Service provides packaging supplies for its domestic and international Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail products at no additional cost. Free packaging is a unique selling tool, differentiating the Postal Service from its competitors. These packaging items include boxes and...
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The Postal Inspection Service maintains a National Forensic Laboratory, which has forensic scientists, analysts, and contractors assisting postal inspectors in identifying, apprehending, prosecuting, and convicting individuals responsible for postal-related crimes. The forensic team conducts...
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The Postal Service offers insurance against loss or damage when shipping packages. Some products, like Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International, include insurance in their postage price. Customers can choose to purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage for a fee. A...
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