WASHINGTON (AP) — It’ll cost another penny to mail a letter next year.

The cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that it will raise postage rates on Jan. 27, 2013  including a 1-cent increase in the cost of first-class mail to 46 cents.

It also will introduce a new global “forever” stamp, allowing customers to mail first-class letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10. Currently, the prices vary depending on the international destination, with letters to Canada and Mexico costing 85 cents.

The mail agency also will increase rates on its shipping services, such as priority mail, by an average of 4 percent.

In the area…

With USPS  reduction in post offfice hours, “The Post Plan,” includes a reduction in the hours of operation at Buchanan from eight to two hours per day.

The USPS is scheduling meetings  in Ypsilanti and Montpelier in November, 2012,  to discuss reductions in services.

Patrons of other post offices will be notified by mail about a month before a meeting.