Florida Post-Judgment Interest: Quarterly Rate-Setting, Annual Adjustment

The Distinction: Pre-Judgment vs Post-Judgment

Florida's statutory interest system treats pre-judgment and post-judgment interest very differently. Confusing the two is a common and costly error.

Pre-Judgment Interest

Pre-judgment interest accrues from the date the cause of action arose (or the contract term specifies) until judgment is entered. If a contract specifies interest, use that rate. If the contract is silent, Florida's statutory prejudgment interest applies, which is typically based on the rate of interest set by statute or by the contract itself.

The key point: Pre-judgment interest uses a single rate, determined at the time the right to interest accrues. It does not automatically change when the state's published rate changes.

For example, if a debt arose on 1 February 2023 and judgment was entered on 1 June 2024, prejudgment interest accrues from 1 February 2023 to 1 June 2024 using whatever rate was specified in the contract or applicable by statute at that time. The statutory rate published by Florida in March 2024 or May 2024 does not retroactively adjust the prejudgment interest rate—it applies only to debts that become due after the publication.

Post-Judgment Interest

Post-judgment interest is governed by Florida Statute §55.03 and accrues from the date judgment is entered until the judgment is paid.

The statute ties post-judgment interest to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discount rate, averaged over twelve months, plus 400 basis points. The Chief Financial Officer sets a new rate quarterly (on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October).

At present (January 2026), the rate is 8.44%. Last quarter it was 8.65%. The quarter before that, 8.90%.

But here's the critical rule: Once a judgment is entered, the post-judgment interest rate adjusts only annually, on 1 January, not quarterly.

How Post-Judgment Interest Actually Works

At judgment entry: You lock in the CFO rate that was in effect on the date judgment was entered. Let's say judgment is entered on 15 August 2019, and the CFO rate on that date is 6.77%. That 6.77% applies from 15 August 2019 through 31 December 2019.

On 1 January 2020: Your post-judgment interest rate adjusts to the CFO rate in effect on 1 January 2020 (let's say 4.84%). That new rate applies for all of 2020.

On 1 January 2021: Your rate adjusts again to whatever the CFO rate is on that date. And so on, annually, until the judgment is paid.

So a judgment entered on 15 August 2019 would see its post-judgment interest rate adjust on:

That's seven adjustments (plus the initial rate at judgment), not quarterly adjustments.

Why the Confusion?

The CFO publishes a new rate every quarter. But that quarterly publication is for new debts that fall due—it does not affect already-entered judgments. Once your judgment is on the books, you only adjust post-judgment interest annually, on 1 January.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Adjusting post-judgment interest quarterly instead of annually.

While the CFO publishes a new rate every quarter, §55.03(3) only provides for annual adjustment of an already-established judgment interest rate. If you are applying the October rate, then the January rate, then the April rate to the same judgment, you are overcalculating. If the debtor's lawyer is paying attention, you will be challenged.

Mistake #2: Using the "current" CFO rate for the entire judgment period.

This understates the amount due if rates were higher in prior years (as they were in 2022–2023), or overstates it if rates have since fallen. You must segment the judgment into annual periods and apply the rate that was in effect on each 1 January anniversary.

Mistake #3: Confusing pre-judgment and post-judgment adjustment rules.

Pre-judgment interest uses a single rate from accrual to judgment. Post-judgment interest adjusts annually. They are not the same.

Historical Context

This annual-adjustment rule applies to judgments entered on or after 1 July 2011. Before that date, Florida used a fixed rate for the life of the judgment. So if you are calculating interest on a judgment from, say, 2005, you would apply a fixed rate (determined at judgment entry in 2005) for the entire period. But for any judgment entered after 1 July 2011, the annual adjustment rule applies.

For Florida Practitioners

If you are drafting a settlement demand or preparing a motion for judgment enforcement, take the time to pull the CFO's historical rates (available on the state website) and apply them correctly:

  1. Initial post-judgment rate at judgment entry.
  2. Then annual adjustment every 1 January thereafter.

Segment your interest calculation by each annual period. Apply the correct rate for each period. Sum up the interest.

On a $500,000 judgment from 2019 to 2026, the accumulated post-judgment interest is likely north of $200,000. Getting the rate periods wrong—adjusting quarterly instead of annually—can shift that figure by thousands of dollars.

Courts expect precision. Your interest calculations show whether you understand the statute. Provide a well-documented schedule, and you'll stand out. Get it wrong, and you hand the judgment debtor an easy defense or a negotiating point.

Calculate Florida Post-Judgment Interest

Use our calculator with Florida CFO rates pre-selected to compute interest on your judgment.

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