Massachusetts Prejudgment Interest Rate
United States Massachusetts’s prejudgment interest rate — when a court awards it.
Set by statute Fixed by statute
Massachusetts prejudgment interest is 12% per year, as simple interest under M.G.L. c. 231, § 6B. Prejudgment interest is mandatory and added automatically by the clerk (not discretionary) once damages are awarded.
When Massachusetts prejudgment interest applies
Prejudgment interest is mandatory and added automatically by the clerk (not discretionary) once damages are awarded. § 6B covers pecuniary damages for personal injuries, consequential damages, and property damage in tort actions. § 6C covers actions based on contractual obligations. § 6H is a catch-all adding § 6B's rate to any damages award where interest is not otherwise provided by law.
When it starts accruing
Tort (§ 6B): from the date of commencement of the action (filing). Contract (§ 6C): from the date of the breach or demand; if that date cannot be established, from the date of commencement of the action. Catch-all (§ 6H): from the date of commencement of the action.
Simple or compound
Simple.
→ Compare with the Massachusetts post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under M.G.L. c. 231, § 6B — 12% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Massachusetts’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Effective-date history
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 12% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Latest value retrieved July 10, 2026 (02:55 UTC) from the official source:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleII/Chapter231/Section6B