Like every other corporation in America, the U.S. Postal Service has been hit hard by the current economic recession.

But unlike most companies, and along among all federal agencies, the Postal Service faces unique financial obligations-strains and constraints that would have a devastating and insurmountable impact if the Postal Service hadn’t begun taking costs out of the system and embracing technology ten years ago.

Look at the numbers:

1999, Number of employees: 797,795

2009, Number of employees: 636,211

1999, Number of post offices: 38,169

2009, Number of post offices: 36,723

1999, Number of processing and distribution plants: 446

2009, Number of processing and distribution plants: 355

1999, Mail volume: 202 billion

2009, Projected mail volume: 175 billion

1999, Number of delivery points: 134 million

2009, Number of delivery points: 150 million

Amount Postal Service pays annually to prefund retiree health benefits: $5.4 billion

Amount all other federal agencies pay annually to prefund retiree health benefits: $0

In summary, the Postal Service has taken cost cutting measures but is still struggling to break even because of an obligation to prefund retiree health benefits. It should also be noted that an additional 16 million delivery points are being serviced by 61,500 fewer employees.

For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com.

To schedule a presentation for our community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 573-9638.