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UNITED STATES -- The U.S. Postal Service is expected to default on a big bill today if it doesn't get some help from Congress.

The USPS owes more than $5 billion in healthcare pre-payments. The government mandates the service pre-fund the benefits for future retirees.

Postal officials have said they're bracing for default on this payment as well as the one due at the end of September. They do say there won't be any impact on employees' pay or mail delivery.

The default is largely symbolic. The Postal Service is considered independent and doesn't usually use taxpayer dollars. Right now, it's operating on a loan from the Treasury.