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Post Judgment Interest Rates

Interest is allowed on most judgments entered in the federal courts from the date of judgment until paid. The types of judgments generally fall under one of three statutes:  

  • 28 U.S.C. § 1961, which governs civil and bankruptcy adversary judgment interest;
  • 18 U.S.C. § 3612 (f)(2), which governs criminal judgments or sentences; and 
  • 40 U.S.C. § 3116, which governs deficiency judgments in condemnation proceedings. These statutory references should be checked with reliable statutory data bases such as Westlaw. Lexis, or other appropriately maintained sources of the U.S. Code for the latest changes. 

Click here for link to United States Courts website for more information on Post Judgment Interest Rates.

Under each of the above statutes the rate of interest used in calculating the amount of post judgment interest is the weekly average 1-year constant maturity (nominal) Treasury yield, as published by the Federal Reserve System. Prior to December 21, 2000 the rate of interest allowed under the statutes cited above was based on the coupon issue yield equivalent (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) of the average accepted auction price for the last auction of 52 week t- bills settled immediately preceding entry of the judgment. The way the rate is used differs under each of the cited statutes, so those sections should be reviewed to determine how to apply it to any particular judgment.

Current Applicable Rates

The current rate applicable under these sections is provided by the Federal Reserve and published each Monday for the preceding week (unless that day is a holiday in which case the rate is published on the next business day).

The specific rate referred to in the statutes is found in the table under the two columns headed WEEK ENDING. The two dates under those columns refer to the Friday averages of the last two weeks. Under those columns you need to go down to the row which states U.S. government securities - Treasury constant maturities nominal- 1-year. Where the row and columns meet - that is the rate you use.

Prior current rates also are available by selecting the week preceding the date of judgment (or the date interest would otherwise apply under the above) and selecting the release date preceding the date of judgment. NOTE: if your judgment date is the same as the release date, you should select the prior week’s release. REASON: the releases are considered to be issued at the close of business on the date of release.