RIP: Rest In Pennies – No More Penny and the Pennypocalypse

Dearly beloved members, we are gathered on this day to mourn the loss of our courageous copper companion, the penny. As you may well have heard, 2026 marks the first year in which no more penny production will occur. Fading are the days when we can see a penny, pick it up, and all day long have good luck. Your beloved penny loafers are now just…slotted loafers. Women named “Penelope” must now answer only to their full government name. Your penny dreadfuls will have no choice but to rebrand a “nickel nightmares” which has far less gravitas to it. Penny strewn train tracks are once again safe.

But aside from upending its status in American vernacular and pop culture, what does no more penny production mean for members, and what do you need to know?

IS THERE A PENNY SHORTAGE?

This shortage has been coming for a while, but the end of production is exacerbating it significantly. You may see retailers asking for pennies!

IS IT STILL LEGAL TO USE PENNIES?

Yes! You can still spend and will (sometimes) receive pennies when making cash transactions. You do not have to fight…for your right…to pennnnnnny!

WITH NO MORE PENNY AVAILABILITY DO WE ROUND UP OR DOWN?

There was no specific guidance on this matter from the US Treasury. The decision will need to be made by every retailer on how they will price and round to the nearest $0.05. The likelihood that many retailers will round down is pretty low.

It is important for retailers of all sorts – from small businesses to large conglomerates, to make a consistent decision. Businesses CAN get into legal trouble for charging different customers different amounts for the exact same product. If you run a small business, make a clear policy decision regarding pennies, price items so that amounts after tax land within $0.05, and make your decision clear to employees to avoid any penny problems.
Local laws and future changes may mandate more specifically but as of January 2026, no specific requirements have been established.

THE FFCCU COIN COUNTER IS PENNY POSITIVE

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but digital forms of payment are the easiest way to avoid any penny puzzles. Feel free to bring in rolled pennies to any FFCCU branch or pop a more precise penny platoon into the self-serve coin counter at our Parma Branch location.

WITH NO MORE PENNY MINTING, CAN I STILL BUY OR RECEIVE ROLLS OF PENNIES DURING A CASH WITHDRAW?

As of January, 2026 this option remains available – but not for long! With the penny shortage hitting everyone we are likely to discontinue this option in the future.

WHY IS THERE NO MORE PENNY

Aim your ire at the US Secretary of Treasury! Production on the penny has been more expensive than the denomination for some time, costing nearly 4 cents per penny produced in 2025. The elimination of future pennies is slated to reduce government expenses by around $56 million dollars each year.

The other major factor contributing to the elimination of the penny is inflation. In 2026 you’re unlikely to see a cup of coffee for less than $2, whereas in decades past you could scrounge together a handful of change for your morning caffeine ritual. This diminishment in the penny’s usefulness as currency and the ubiquity of card payments means few pennies are used and circulated, and more tend to wind up in jars inside couches.

THE PAST IS THE PENNY IS THE PRESENT

So pour one out (assuming ‘one’ is a jar of pennies into the FFCCU coin counter) for a much beloved little copper currency. Remember, the last time you look down and see Honest Abe gazing up at you from under the rug…just might be the last time!

RIP US PENNY
1787 – November 12, 2025

Gone from our Pockets – Still in our Hearts