Vermont prejudgment interest rate
United States Vermont’s 12% actuarial-rate reference and claim-specific prejudgment rules.
→ All Vermont judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Fixed by statute Discretionary
2026 Vermont prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 12% per year
- Effective date
- July 9, 2026
- Controlling authority
- 9 V.S.A. § 41a(a)
- Rate basis
- Fixed by statute
- Source checked
- July 9, 2026
- Recorded history
- 1 data point
9 V.S.A. §41a supplies a 12% annual rate calculated by the actuarial method when no different rate is otherwise established. It does not by itself decide prejudgment entitlement for every claim. Vermont case law distinguishes readily ascertainable sums from discretionary awards, and 12 V.S.A. §2903 separately addresses judgment liens.
When Vermont prejudgment interest applies
Prejudgment interest is awarded AS OF RIGHT (mandatory) when the principal sum recovered is liquidated or capable of ready ascertainment (e.g., established market prices, contract amounts, medical damages and lost wages in personal-injury cases). For other/unliquidated damages, it is DISCRETIONARY — awardable in the trier of fact's discretion where needed to make the plaintiff whole / avoid injustice.
When it starts accruing
Interest accrues from the date the cause of action accrued (the time of the loss/breach/injury) to the date of entry of judgment. For liquidated/ascertainable sums, from when the sum became due/ascertainable; for other pecuniary harms, from the accrual of the cause of action to judgment.
Simple or compound
Section 41a specifies an actuarial method rather than supporting a blanket ‘simple interest’ description. Apply the method only after entitlement, principal, and the legally relevant dates are established.
→ Compare with the Vermont post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under 9 V.S.A. § 41a(a) — 12% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Vermont’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Current recorded observation
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 12% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded July 9, 2026 (00:00 UTC) from the cited source (Vermont — legislature.vermont.gov):
https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/004/00041a
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Vermont Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/vermont-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under 9 V.S.A. § 41a(a), effective July 9, 2026.