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Financial Planning and Investment Management Services Brochure
for
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
100 Coliseum Drive
Cohoes, NY 12047
(518) 886-4000
www.gs.com
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices relating to the
financial planning and investment management services offered by Goldman Sachs Wealth
Services, L.P. (the “Adviser”). If you have any questions about your relationship with the Adviser,
please contact your advisor team or call (518) 886-4000. The information in this Brochure has not
been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by
any state securities authority. Investment adviser registration does not imply a certain level of skill
or training.
information about
the Adviser
is available on
the SEC’s website at
Additional
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
March 31, 2026
This Brochure (also known as a Form ADV Part 2A) has been duly filed under the Adviser’s Investment
Adviser Public Disclosures (IAPD) with the SEC.
For ease of reference, capitalized terms that are defined in this brochure are also set forth in the Glossary.
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES
This Brochure is dated March 31, 2026. There have been no material changes to the Brochure from the
last annual update dated March 28, 2025. This Brochure has been revised and contains updated and
expanded disclosures relating to business operations, particularly in the following areas:
Item 4 – Advisory Business
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Item 6 – Performance-based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
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(cid:120) Appendix A
Clients are encouraged to read this Brochure in detail and contact their advisor team with any questions.
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ITEM 3 – TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 2 – MATERIAL CHANGES .................................................................................................................. 2
ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS ................................................................................................................. 4
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION .................................................................................................... 20
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT .................................... 37
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS................................................................................................................... 38
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS ...................... 39
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 66
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS ........................................ 66
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND
PERSONAL TRADING ............................................................................................................................... 76
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES ...................................................................................................... 94
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS ......................................................................................................... 97
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION .......................................................... 98
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY ................................................................................................................................. 99
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION .................................................................................................... 99
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES ................................................................................................ 99
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................... 101
Glossary .................................................................................................................................................... 102
Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................ 108
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ITEM 4 – ADVISORY BUSINESS
Introduction
This Brochure describes the financial planning, investment management, and related advisory and
supporting services offered by the Adviser. The Adviser, together with various affiliates described in this
Brochure, comprise the wealth management business of Goldman Sachs Asset & Wealth Management
(“Asset & Wealth Management”). For purposes of this Brochure, the Adviser’s advisory personnel will be
collectively referred to herein as “Wealth Advisors.” Wealth Advisors are, to the extent required, registered
investment adviser representatives of the Adviser. Wealth Advisors generally are also broker-dealer
registered representatives of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“GS&Co.”). In some circumstances, Wealth
Advisors may also be registered representatives of the Adviser’s affiliate, Mercer Allied Company, L.P.
(“Mercer Allied”). Mercer Allied and GS&Co. are broker-dealers registered with the SEC. Not all Wealth
Advisors provide the same services to clients.
The Adviser provides financial planning, sometimes referred to as financial counseling (“Financial
Planning”) and/or investment management (“Investment Management”) services nationally to a wide-
ranging client base as described in more detail below. Clients engage with the Adviser through various
channels including through corporate/employer-sponsored programs that make Financial Planning and/or
Investment Management available to their eligible employees, and through arrangements with affinity or
membership associations and organizations, plan recordkeepers or other organizations through which the
Adviser may offer its services to members and participants, or to their clients or users, as applicable. Such
employers, associations and organizations, or other entities are referred to as “Corporate Partners” within
this Brochure. Clients may also come to engage with the Adviser as a result of affiliate and third-party
referrals or directly, or through certain arrangements with community-based or charitable organizations
(such community-based or charitable organizations being referred to herein as “Community-Based
Partners”).
The Adviser has been a registered investment adviser with the SEC since 1994. The Adviser is
headquartered in Cohoes, NY and operates through offices located in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA,
Canonsburg, PA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Deerfield, IL, Denver, CO, Houston, TX, Irving, TX, Miami, FL,
Minneapolis, MN, Newport Beach, CA, New York, NY, Morristown, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco,
CA, Saratoga Springs, NY, Seattle, WA, Troy, MI, Washington, DC, West Palm Beach, FL, and Westport,
CT. For certain offices the Adviser offers advisory services in offices of its affiliate GS&Co.
The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS Group”), a public
company that is a bank holding company and financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and a worldwide, full-service financial services organization. GS Group,
the Adviser, GS&Co., and their respective affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members,
officers, and employees are referred to collectively herein as “Goldman Sachs.”
The financial planning, investment management, and related advisory and supporting services offered by
the Adviser do not constitute tax, legal, or accounting advice. Clients should consult with their own legal,
tax, and accounting professionals.
Clients that transitioned from GS&Co. Private Wealth Management (“PWM”) or Goldman Sachs Personal
Financial Management, a former affiliate of the Adviser which was acquired by Creative Planning, LLC, an
unaffiliated third party, on November 3, 2023 (“GS PFM”), to the Adviser and their related accounts receive
products and services in connection with Financial Planning, Investment Management and related services
on a legacy basis that are not made available to other clients of the Adviser. This includes access to different
products (including products subject to different reviews) as well as different fee arrangements.
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Financial Planning
The Adviser offers Financial Planning to clients as an independent service or as part of another service
offering. Certain aspects of Financial Planning include delivery of investment advice as defined by the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”), in which the Adviser acts as fiduciary under
the Advisers Act. Financial Planning varies among Wealth Advisors, clients, and the tools utilized by Wealth
Advisors, as explained in more detail in Item 4 – Tools for Financial Planning; Tailoring Financial Planning
below. Not all clients receive Financial Planning. The Adviser also provides other types of information and
education about the financial markets, asset allocations, financial planning illustrations and the advantages
and risks of particular investments that do not constitute investment advice or recommendations, including
when providing general information and education about issues and options that should be considered
when deciding whether to implement aspects of Financial Planning.
Financial Planning generally focuses on planning related to compensation and employment benefits, cash-
flow, retirement, estate, insurance, investment, philanthropic, and tax, as may be appropriate. Depending
on the level of service, Financial Planning is provided to the client either through meetings or digitally
whereby the Wealth Advisor and the client will work together to develop a written or verbal financial plan
and, with client cooperation, will endeavor to review risk profiles and objectives with clients no less than
annually and update the financial plan to account for changes in the client’s situation. Clients are not
required to implement their financial plans through products and services offered by the Adviser or its
affiliates (each in their capacities as asset managers, insurance agencies, a bank or broker-dealers, as
applicable). Clients who elect to implement any portion of their financial plans through the Adviser or its
affiliates generally do so by entering into separate agreements with the Adviser or an affiliate. Wealth
Advisors may refer clients to implement their financial plans through the Adviser or an affiliate, which creates
a conflict of interest. See Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation and Item 5 – Fees and
Compensation. The Adviser does not have discretion over specified client assets as part of Financial
Planning but may have discretion as part of Investment Management as described below in Item 4 –
Investment Management Services. Corporate Partners often have other relationships with Goldman Sachs
as vendors, partners, or clients and they, their employees, or participants may receive benefits or
preferential fees or rates as a result of such other relationships. See Item 5 – Fees and Compensation –
Negotiated Fees and Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading. The Adviser utilizes Goldman Sachs Ayco as a brand for its financial planning related programs
and services other than for Personal Wealth (as defined below) and for certain investment products and
services.
In addition to the above services, Financial Planning is also offered to supplement advisory services made
available to certain current or prospective clients serviced through PWM by PWM private wealth advisors
(“PWM PWAs”) and select current and former executives of GS Group (e.g., Goldman Partner Office).
When the Adviser provides Financial Planning only to current or prospective clients of GS&Co. and select
current and former executives of GS Group, the Adviser undertakes no responsibility for, and provides no
investment or brokerage services related to, such clients’ investment accounts unless otherwise agreed to
in writing.
Fiduciary status under the Advisers Act is different from fiduciary status under other laws, including under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”) (together, the “Retirement Regulations”). For example, at times, the
Adviser may be acting as a fiduciary under the Advisers Act when providing education-related retirement
services, but not as a fiduciary under any other law, including ERISA or the IRC. In situations where the
Adviser provides general investment education to clients on retirement assets, such as when Wealth
Advisors provide Financial Wellness services to clients as described below, Wealth Advisors are not
fiduciaries under ERISA.
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The Adviser offers Financial Planning through the various programs described below:
Executive Wealth
Executive Wealth programs and services offered by Wealth Advisors are
made available to executives and high-net-worth clients directly or through a
Corporate Partner. Services are designed to assist clients in developing
comprehensive financial plans intended to maximize compensation and
benefit programs, preserve and/or grow assets, manage income on a long-
term basis, and integrate tax, retirement, and estate plans and goals. In order
to deliver comprehensive financial planning services, Wealth Advisors
analyze a number of factors, including, as applicable, the client’s financial
status, sources of income, assets, personal obligations and debts, objectives,
commitments, cash flow, family responsibilities and the effect of the existing
income and estate tax structure on the client’s sources of income and
accumulation of wealth. Additional information about Executive Wealth is set
forth under Item 4 – Investment Management Services below.
Private Family Office
The Private Family Office is part of the Goldman Sachs Family Office. Private
Family Office services, which include estate and trust planning and
administration, review and evaluation of investments, portfolio monitoring,
philanthropic and foundation planning, cash flow planning, tax planning and
insurance review, are offered to high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
Private Family Office services are designed to help individuals and families
with significant wealth manage their complex financial affairs. Private Family
Office services can be provided to clients directly or through a Corporate
Partner and often includes work with several generations within one client
family and coordination with the individual’s or family’s other advisers (as
directed). In many cases, Private Family Office services offer high-net-worth
individuals and families an alternative to creating their own family office.
Private Family Office services are made available to clients of the Adviser
and PWM.
Personal Planning
Through Personal Planning, the Adviser generally provides Financial
Planning to individuals whose relationship with the Adviser is via a Corporate
Partner but are not part of the Executive Wealth service. Services are
designed to assist clients in developing personal financial plans. In addition to
the Financial Planning services offered to clients as described above if the
client is associated with a Corporate Partner, clients may also receive
Financial Planning related to estate planning, income tax planning, and/or
employee benefit planning, support, and education. Additional information
about Personal Planning is set forth under Item 4 – Investment Management
Services below. Personal Planning is generally provided through advisor
teams within either Executive Wealth or Personal Wealth.
focus on
Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness programs and services are provided to employees,
members or participants of Corporate Partners and
the
fundamentals of financial planning. Financial Wellness programs are
delivered telephonically and digitally and may be supplemented with broad-
based seminars offering education on a variety of financial topics, including
a Corporate Partner’s employee benefits. Seminars are delivered in-person,
or via digital or other recorded media. Financial Wellness is also available to
employees of Goldman Sachs and Community-Based Partners. The scope
of the Financial Wellness program available to an employee of a Corporate
Partner or Community-Based Partner depends on the arrangements with the
Corporate Partner and the election of employee. See Item 5 – Fees and
Compensation. These services may be provided to clients without a
Corporate Partner relationship.
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Sponsors Coverage
Group
The Sponsors Coverage Group services are available to executives and
high-net-worth clients who have significant net worth in private equity and/or
hedge funds. Services offered by Wealth Advisors are designed to assist
clients in developing comprehensive financial plans intended to maximize
compensation and benefit programs, preserve and/or grow assets, manage
income on a long-term basis, and integrate tax, retirement, and estate plans
and goals. In order to deliver comprehensive financial planning services,
Wealth Advisors analyze a number of factors, including, as applicable, the
client’s financial status, sources of income, assets, personal obligations and
debts, objectives, commitments, cash flow, family responsibilities and the
effect of the existing income and estate tax structure on the client’s sources
of income and accumulation of wealth.
The Adviser’s Personal Wealth offering is also available to clients who generally do not have another
Financial Planning relationship with the Adviser, but who have the potential to have at least $1,000,000
held in Advisory Accounts (as defined below). While Personal Wealth often includes a Financial Planning
component, it is primarily designed to provide investment management services. Financial Planning
provided will vary among clients depending on their unique circumstances and needs, and normally should
be expected to be more limited in scope than the Financial Planning provided under other services offered
by the Adviser and generally limited to investment planning. Investment planning services include asset
allocation and portfolio construction. The services, as clients may initiate them from time to time, are
designed to help clients integrate their investment management and strategies with their existing estate
plans, tax plans, and long-term cash flow and retirement plans, as applicable. Personal Wealth clients will
typically work with a designated Wealth Advisor in Personal Wealth with Financial Planning services
provided through in-person, telephonic, video conference, digitally or a combination thereof. Services
available to Personal Wealth clients are also made available through one or more advisory affiliates, and
the Adviser may introduce clients to such affiliates for such available services. Certain advisors within
Personal Wealth also provide Personal Planning services for clients who may have transitioned to the
Adviser from GS PFM. Personal Wealth clients also include individuals who receive financial planning under
a Corporate Partner program who transitioned from GS PFM or who are employees of Goldman Sachs.
Additional information about Personal Wealth is set forth under Item 4 – Investment Management Services
below.
Clients who have received Financial Planning services paid by a Corporate Partner, but are no longer
affiliated with a Corporate Partner, are generally eligible to receive similar services on a self-pay basis. If
individuals are no longer affiliated with a Corporate Partner, they may be required to execute new
agreements with different fee schedules and services. See Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.
Tools for Financial Planning
As referenced above, Financial Planning services are provided to clients through a variety of means,
including through in-person meetings, video conferences, telephone calls, digital platforms, e-mail,
reporting, or a combination thereof. The Adviser may also use artificial intelligence to support its provision
of Financial Planning services. Wealth Advisors have available to them a variety of proprietary and third-
party tools to aid in delivering Financial Planning services to clients. However, not all tools are available to
all Wealth Advisors for all Financial Planning services nor are Wealth Advisors required to use all of the
tools available to them.
Tailoring Financial Planning
Financial Planning is typically designed to be personalized to the client, including such client’s unique
circumstances and needs, personal financial goals, net worth, and/or complexity. Accordingly, the scope,
duration, advisory personnel, deliverables, and channels through which Financial Planning is provided will
vary among clients and services based on a variety of factors. Financial Planning will also vary among
clients as a result of agreements between the Adviser and the client, and program parameters established
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by the Adviser and its affiliates or by and between the Adviser and Corporate Partners or any Community-
Based Partners. Financial Planning will vary among individuals participating within the same Corporate
Partner-sponsored program. Certain programs may be tailored to address specific Corporate Partner
events (e.g., benefit changes or corporate changes-in-control) or client life events (e.g., serious illness or
death of client or client’s family member).
Financial Planning may also be offered on a full or more limited basis and supplement other advisory
services made available to clients through the Adviser. Further, services may be limited or more expansive
due to certain Wealth Advisors’ access to tools, analysis, and other inputs provided by different affiliates.
Financial Planning does not always address every aspect of a client’s financial life. Omission of one or
more financial planning topics from discussions with Wealth Advisors could be the result of different and/or
insufficient information provided by or on behalf of a client. Such omissions do not indicate that the Financial
Planning topic is not relevant or applicable to the client’s financial situation, and clients are encouraged to
consult with their other advisors regarding such topics (e.g., tax and legal counsel).
In some situations, clients may be eligible for reduced or waived fees due to certain arrangements as
discussed in more detail in Item 5 – Fees and Compensation – Negotiated Fees. Different service offerings,
arrangements, services and fees may also be negotiated and differ among clients.
In addition to personalized Financial Planning, the Adviser periodically provides seminars to eligible
employees, members or participants of its Corporate Partners and Community-Based Partners. Unless
otherwise indicated by the Adviser or its affiliates in writing, when the Adviser provides such seminars, it
does not act as an investment adviser or fiduciary to participants pursuant to the Advisers Act or the
Retirement Regulations.
No Investment Management Advice Without Agreement
Unless otherwise specifically agreed to by the Adviser in writing, Financial Planning is not designed to be
specific to any particular investment account. When providing a consolidated financial summary of accounts
to clients, data included may contain information provided by clients about third-party accounts that the
Adviser does not manage or for which the Adviser does not advise the client. As such, clients should
understand that the Adviser does not serve as the investment adviser on all securities listed in these
consolidated financial summaries. The Adviser will not supervise client assets or provide any
recommendations as to investments unless granted authority, in writing, to manage the particular assets.
Any asset management services provided to clients are governed by a separate Investment Management
agreement (as applicable). In no case will Financial Planning or the terms of a Corporate Partner program
modify the terms and conditions governing a client’s investment accounts.
Other Services Related to Financial Planning
The Adviser may provide tax planning and advice and/or tax preparation services to certain clients of the
Adviser or an affiliate and their spouses, dependents, trusts, and other related entities. The Adviser’s tax
preparation services are generally limited to income tax preparation, and set forth in a written agreement
with the client. Depending on a client’s particular circumstances, the Adviser will also refer clients to third-
party tax preparers. In connection with such referrals, the Adviser, at the client’s request and with their
consent, will forward client information to the tax preparer to facilitate the third-party tax preparation service.
Clients will contract directly with these tax preparers and fees will be paid either directly by the client or by
a Corporate Partner on the client’s behalf. In connection with any such tax preparation referrals, the Adviser
will provide neither tax nor investment advice. When the Adviser provides tax planning and advice, but is
not otherwise the client’s tax preparer, the client should consult with its own tax preparer and other tax
advisors with respect to the tax impact of transactions and other financial activities.
Depending on a client’s particular circumstances and goals, the Adviser may introduce the client to the GS
Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management, Inc. (“GS DAF”). GS DAF is a 501(c)(3) public
charity that sponsors donor advised funds in which each donor has a limited ability to recommend charitable
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grants to 501(c)(3) public charities, certain private operating foundations and certain qualified governmental
units and has a limited ability to recommend how their donations are invested. The Adviser has a conflict of
interest when making these introductions, including because the Adviser’s affiliates currently provide
services to GS DAF in exchange for compensation and because GS DAF currently invests in mutual funds
advised by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)
selected by the Adviser and managed by affiliates or unaffiliated third-parties. While the Adviser does not
charge an investment management fee on assets invested in affiliated mutual funds, such assets are
subject to advisory and various other fees and expenses paid to the service providers of each affiliated
mutual fund and the Adviser may receive a portion of such fees.
Where appropriate for a client’s estate plan and the trust model, a trust or individual with investment
authority may retain the Adviser’s services to manage the cash and securities owned by a trust that has a
corporate trustee through Ayco Trust Advisory Services (“ATAS”). Corporate trustees from whom the
Adviser will accept this engagement include the Adviser’s affiliates Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A.
(“GSTC”) and Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware (“GSTD”), and third-party corporate trustees.
ATAS is available to confer with the trustee in furtherance of the trustee’s decisions regarding tax,
distributions and estate planning, as well as the grantor and/or trust beneficiaries, on a periodic basis.
Corporate trustees, parties with investment authority or the grantor may recommend or direct the trust to
engage the Adviser which creates a conflict of interest if such persons are affiliates of the Adviser or have
other relationships with Goldman Sachs.
SurvivorSupport®, typically offered by the Adviser through Corporate Partner relationships, is designed to
help employees (or survivors of deceased employees) navigate personal financial decisions and obtain
financial planning following a personal loss. The Adviser, through TransitionalSupportSM, also provides
support under certain SurvivorSupport® programs to Corporate Partner employees when they or their
spouse or domestic partner have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. Financial Planning through
SurvivorSupport® or TransitionalSupportSM covers a wide range of topics including counseling on employee
benefits, social security and Medicare benefits, insurance, estate settlement and planning, income tax, and
cash flow and retirement planning. SurvivorSupport® and TransitionalSupportSM offer one-on-one planning
sessions and provide personalized steps to help prioritize planning needs. Depending on a client’s needs,
SurvivorSupport® or TransitionalSupportSM Wealth Advisors may refer clients to the Adviser or another
affiliate for ongoing Financial Planning and Investment Management.
The Adviser may make available a corporate program focused on retirement readiness programming for
certain members or employees identified by the Corporate Partner. The programing may include group
education sessions and the option to meet with a Wealth Advisor. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, when
the Adviser provides such services, it does not act as an investment adviser or fiduciary to participants
pursuant to the Advisers Act or the Retirement Regulations. Following a program participant’s separation
from a Corporate Partner, the participant may have the opportunity to continue services on a self-pay or
Corporate Partner paid basis.
Reliance on Information in Financial Planning
In providing Financial Planning, the Adviser relies on the accuracy and completeness of information
provided by or on behalf of clients and does not assume responsibility to independently verify the accuracy
or completeness of such information. The Adviser does not assume responsibility to review, respond to, or
incorporate into its services any materials uploaded by or on behalf of the client to any electronic storage
system made available to clients. Clients must consult with and inform their designated Wealth Advisor
regarding any specific materials they would like to include in the services.
Client’s Obligation to Take Action
Except as otherwise expressly agreed by the Adviser in writing, the Adviser does not assume any duties to
take action pursuant to advice or Financial Planning strategies that the Adviser provides to clients, which
ultimately remain the client’s obligation. It is the client’s responsibility to determine if and how the
suggestions made in connection with the Adviser’s Financial Planning services should be implemented or
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otherwise followed. Clients should carefully consider all relevant factors in making these decisions,
including consulting with other professionals (e.g., tax and legal counsel).
Related Party Accommodations
The Adviser may, as an accommodation to and at the request of a client, meet with certain individuals
related to the client, including a client’s spouse, partner, and/or dependents (as used in this Brochure,
“Related Parties”), to discuss Financial Planning services provided to the client, and/or one or more
Financial Planning topics applicable to such Related Parties. Unless otherwise agreed by the Adviser in
writing or through separate notice to or from an affiliate: (i) the client remains the Adviser’s primary point of
contact for discussions with, and delivery of documents and notices (if any) to, Related Parties; (ii) such
accommodations made by the Adviser are not intended to result in a contractual or investment advisory
relationship with Related Parties; and (iii) the Adviser undertakes no corresponding fiduciary duty with
respect to Related Parties.
Investment Management Services
General Description of Investment Management
The Adviser offers Investment Management services to clients in addition to Financial Planning services
described above. When the Adviser acts in an investment advisory capacity, it has a fiduciary obligation to
act in its advisory client’s best interests in accordance with the Advisers Act. Client Investment Management
accounts for which the Adviser serves as registered investment adviser are referred to as “Advisory
Accounts” herein. Investment Management Services are also available to clients who do not also receive
Financial Planning services.
Wealth Advisors work with clients to understand each client’s risk tolerance, investment objectives, and
investment attribute preferences, and to determine an appropriate asset allocation and portfolio
construction. Based on the investment goals clients have discussed and agreed upon with their Wealth
Advisors, Wealth Advisors will select, or recommend that the client select, one or more Managers, as
defined below, to manage the client’s assets in one or more Advisory Accounts. Advisory Accounts may be
invested in a variety of asset classes and investment vehicles that may include mutual funds, ETFs,
exchange traded notes, equity securities, options, fixed income securities, or other types of securities.
Advisory Accounts may also hold investments in private equity or other private funds.
Depending on how a client’s assets are allocated, Advisory Accounts are managed in different ways.
Further, product offerings change from time to time. For example, products that are made available to some
clients through the Adviser are not made available to clients of one or more of the Adviser’s affiliates or
investment offerings made available at a particular time may be removed from the Adviser’s offerings. The
Adviser and/or its affiliates will add or remove product offerings to or from the Adviser’s platforms without
prior notice to clients. Further, depending on the custodian selected and the services offered by the Adviser,
the investment selection and fee model available to clients will differ.
The Adviser offers investment products managed by investment advisers or managers that are affiliated
with Goldman Sachs (“Affiliated Managers”), including GS&Co. The Adviser also offers investment products
managed by investment advisers or managers that are unaffiliated with Goldman Sachs (“Unaffiliated
Managers,” and together with Affiliated Managers, “Managers”). Some Affiliated Managers provide advisory
services by evaluating and selecting mutual funds and ETFs that are managed, sponsored or advised by
investment managers that are not affiliated with the Adviser or its affiliates (“Third-Party Funds”) and meet
GS&Co.’s eligibility criteria for inclusion in the Advisory Mutual Fund Strategies (“Fund Strategies”)
program. GS&Co. or an affiliate, including GSAM, through its External Investment Group (“XIG”), provides
investment advisory services by evaluating and selecting Third-Party Funds and funds included in the Fund
Strategies program. Additionally, certain Advisory Accounts invest in investments that were previously
available but are no longer available through the Adviser or an affiliate and/or retained in Advisory Accounts
pursuant to client request. Such investments are not subject to the same diligence and other requirements
as investments that are currently available.
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Generally, Managers’ responsibilities vary and include the authority to:
(cid:120) exercise discretion to determine the types of securities bought and sold, along with the
percentage allocation;
(cid:120) exercise discretion as to when to buy or sell securities;
(cid:120) exercise discretion on the timing of securities transactions;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
select the broker-dealer for execution of securities transactions, if appropriate; and
take other portfolio management actions that the Adviser delegates, including the ability to
vote proxies.
The Adviser does not monitor transactions directed by Managers for conformity with stated investment
objectives, risk tolerance, financial circumstances, or investment restrictions, if any. In addition, the Adviser
will not evaluate each transaction executed by Managers for compliance with the Managers’ disclosed
policies or style. However, if the Adviser manages the accounts directly, it will undertake such monitoring
with respect to restrictions to which the Adviser and the client agree in writing.
Upon request, the Adviser will provide clients with information about any Managers managing assets in a
client’s portfolio. This information could include content provided by a Manager explaining its investment
style, an explanation from the Adviser describing the Managers’ investment style, or the Managers’ Form
ADV, Part 2A.
Investment Management Services
The Adviser provides the various advisory services described herein through one or more of its Executive
Wealth, Personal Wealth and Personal Planning offerings, Wealth Advisors, ATAS and the Adviser’s
Portfolio Management Group (“Ayco PMG”). In addition, Goldman Sachs Ayco private wealth advisors
(“Goldman Sachs Ayco PWAs”), who primarily provide services as described below in Item 4 – Other
Offerings – Referrals to Affiliates and Third Parties, provide investment management services to clients.
Certain clients, generally Executive Wealth clients that meet the Adviser’s minimum in assets under
management, typically in excess of $15 million, are also eligible to work with a Goldman Sachs Ayco PWA,
who will provide additional investment services in addition to their Wealth Advisor.
The client’s designated Wealth Advisor will work with the client to assess risk tolerance, evaluate asset
allocation, and develop a long-term personal portfolio strategy that integrates company benefit plans and
the client’s financial goals, as applicable. Clients also have the ability to select a third party or an affiliate,
such as GS&Co. or GSAM, to directly manage all or a portion of their assets.
The Adviser also has clients that do not have a dedicated Wealth Advisor, but who still have Advisory
Accounts that hold investments managed by Ayco PMG, an Unaffiliated Manager or an Affiliated Manager
and are supported by another Adviser team.
Clients generally elect to custody their Advisory Accounts with either GS&Co. or National Financial Services
LLC, and together with Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, “Fidelity.”
The Adviser offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. Advisory Accounts
are managed directly by a client’s Wealth Advisor, by the Ayco PMG or by an Affiliated or Unaffiliated
Manager. Wealth Advisors and Ayco PMG are collectively referred to as “Advisory Personnel.” Wealth
Advisors provide clients with investment advisory services, including providing asset allocation and portfolio
construction recommendations as well as managing Advisory Accounts across a broad range of asset
classes and investments. Wealth Advisors may select or recommend that clients appoint the Adviser or its
affiliates to manage all or a portion of a client’s assets. Wealth Advisors manage Advisory Accounts by
investing in one or multiple asset classes and types of investments, which currently include certain equity
and fixed income securities, structured investments, options, master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), mutual
funds, ETFs, private credit, private equity, and other securities and investments. The Adviser has the
discretion, where consistent with applicable law, to take into account Environmental, Social, and
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Sustainability Impact (“ESG”) considerations and political, media and reputational considerations relating
thereto. See Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss – General Risks
Applicable to Advisory Accounts – Environmental, Social Impact, and Governance Considerations. The
Adviser may also use artificial intelligence to support its provision of investment advisory services. Affiliates
of the Adviser that act as investment adviser or manager of investment companies or pooled vehicles act
as investment adviser or manager for certain of these investments or assets. Wealth Advisors also
sometimes recommend managers through GS&Co.’s wrap fee program known as “Managed Account
Strategies,” including Affiliated Managers and Unaffiliated Managers, and sometimes recommend Affiliated
Managers outside of the wrap fee program. With client authorization, Wealth Advisors allocate, rebalance
and reallocate client assets among Advisory Accounts across agreed-upon equity and fixed income sub-
asset classes (each of which may involve a separate agreed-upon fee depending on the fee structure
agreed by the client). Information about GS&Co. as sponsor of Managed Account Strategies is available in
the GS&Co. Wrap Fee Program Brochure. Information about Managers participating in Managed Account
Strategies is available in the Form ADV brochure for the applicable Manager.
Wealth Advisors can manage a client’s portfolio directly by selecting individual unaffiliated or affiliated mutual
funds, ETFs, or separately managed accounts (“Separately Managed Accounts”), including those that are
managed Centrally by an Affiliated Manager (“Centrally Managed Strategies”, and together with Separately
Managed Accounts, “Managed Strategies”). Centrally Managed Strategies can take various forms, including
third-party model strategies managed and implemented by Ayco PMG or internal, proprietary investment
strategies developed, implemented, and managed by Ayco PMG. Wealth Advisors can also allocate assets
to Unaffiliated Manager model strategies that are implemented through third-party technology platforms, using
Third-Party Funds or Separately Managed Accounts.
Accounts in the same Centrally Managed Strategies are generally invested according to the same strategy
with similar allocations. However, there are individual circumstances whereby a client could have a different
implementation of Centrally Managed Strategies. While the Adviser’s Centrally Managed Strategies are
primarily made available only to the Adviser’s clients, certain strategies are also made available to clients of
the Adviser’s affiliates.
Ayco PMG provides portfolio construction services and manages assets in Advisory Accounts custodied at
GS&Co. or Fidelity. Additionally, Ayco PMG may also place orders or provide administration or other
portfolio management services and support for Advisory Accounts. As discussed in Item 4 – Advisory
Services Provided by Ayco PMG, Ayco PMG provides these services in a variety of ways, although Ayco
PMG may not offer the same services or strategies to all clients. In performing its duties as manager, Ayco
PMG is generally informed by strategic allocation models provided by the Goldman Sachs Private Wealth
Management Investment Strategy Group (“ISG”). See Item 4 – Advisory Services Provided by Ayco PMG
below for more information.
Although clients of the Adviser or its affiliates elect to invest through an Advisory Account managed by Ayco
PMG, Wealth Advisors continue to be responsible for assisting the client in selecting the appropriate
strategies and are responsible for various Advisory Account servicing and maintenance needs.
In general, if there is an investment in an Advisory Account that is not otherwise approved as an advisory
asset and is not promptly liquidated but maintained on a legacy basis, the Adviser will not provide
investment advisory services for such asset, will not charge advisory fees in respect to such asset and will
generally work with the client to remove such asset from the account.
Other Information Related to the Adviser’s Investment Management Services
Retirement Accounts and Retirement Plans
The Adviser provides Investment Management services to individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) under
IRC Section 408 or 408A, tax-qualified retirement plans (including Keogh plans) under IRC Section 401(a)
as well as pension plans and other employee pension benefit plans subject to ERISA (collectively,
“Retirement Accounts”). If a Retirement Account is opened or maintained on the managed program platform
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(“Managed Retirement Program Platform”), the Adviser provides investment advice on (1) selection
amongst managed programs, (2) manager and strategy selection, including Affiliated Managers and
Unaffiliated Managers, and (3) asset allocation across the client’s managed program Retirement Accounts.
In addition, the client will receive discretionary asset management services from the Manager in the
program that is selected. In cases where an Unaffiliated Manager is selected, an additional fee will be
charged all of which is passed onto the Unaffiliated Manager.
Where Wealth Advisors provide investment advisory or Investment Management services to Retirement
Accounts pursuant to a written agreement, the Adviser acts as fiduciary pursuant to ERISA and/or the IRC
when providing investment advice or recommendations to Retirement Accounts. Any advice or
recommendations made by the Adviser with respect to non-Retirement Account assets do not apply to and
should not be used by the client for any decision with respect to Retirement Account assets, which often
present different considerations. The Adviser, in its sole discretion, imposes limitations on the investment
services and strategies offered to Retirement Accounts.
The Adviser refers plan clients to affiliates, including GSAM, to perform certain advisory services related to
employee benefit plans. The Adviser also offers education and consulting services to plan sponsors of
employer-sponsored plans and/or plan participants of employer-sponsored plans (e.g., 401K plans).
Advisory Services Provided by Ayco PMG
Ayco PMG provides portfolio construction services and manages assets in a variety of ways for clients. Not
all services of Ayco PMG are available to all clients and not all strategies managed by Ayco PMG are made
available to all clients. The strategies available on each custodial platform will change from time to time.
Certain strategies are also made available to clients of affiliates, including where the client transitioned to
the affiliate and prior investment strategies remain available on a limited basis. More information on
available strategies can be obtained from the client’s Wealth Advisor. Ayco PMG manages strategies by
investing in particular asset classes and investments, including, but not limited to, equities, fixed income
securities, mutual funds and ETFs.
Primarily, Ayco PMG develops, manages, and rebalances proprietary strategies based upon strategic
allocation models provided by ISG. When funding portfolios in kind, Ayco PMG may utilize one or more of
a client’s existing ETF or mutual fund positions if the position offers similar investment characteristics to the
standard portfolio component. Currently only unaffiliated ETFs are available for these strategies. Although
utilization of similar ETFs and/or mutual funds is intended to reduce transaction costs and tax realization,
clients should expect an impact to the performance of the strategy, positively or negatively, including that
the fees and other expenses for such similar ETFs and/or mutual funds could be higher, if compared to
accounts that utilize the standard portfolio of investments. Ayco PMG will manage ETFs and/or mutual
funds as part of the client’s portfolio that are similar to the standard portfolio components, and whether to
maintain a similar position (in part or fully) in the client’s account is at the discretion of Ayco PMG. For
example, Ayco PMG may exercise discretion to utilize similar ETFs and/or mutual funds in taxable accounts
but not exercise the same discretion for a non-taxable account where savings on fees and expenses over
time would likely be higher than one-time transaction costs and there is not a tax impact for the client. Ayco
PMG could elect to liquidate all or a portion of such positions at any time, which would result in realization
of taxable gains or losses associated with such positions in taxable accounts. Ayco PMG utilizes
evaluations performed by XIG to identify ETFs and mutual funds that are available to substitute in a
portfolio. The scope of ETFs and mutual funds available to substitute is subject to change periodically and
without notice. Generally, eligible ETFs and mutual funds will include a subset of broad and/or sector-based
equity only funds while ineligible funds will include, but are not limited to, levered funds and/or affiliate-
managed ETFs. From time-to-time, XIG also provides updates to the ETFs and mutual funds that comprise
a strategy based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, fees, tax efficiency and performance
of the ETF or mutual fund. Similar to the considerations described above, when portfolios are funded in-
kind and when rebalancing portfolios in connection with such XIG updates, Ayco PMG also has the ability
to maintain existing positions in some or all accounts at its discretion, which may impact the performance
of a client’s portfolio. Ayco PMG also provides portfolio construction services for strategies offered to clients
pursuant to strategic allocation models provided by ISG that include Separately Managed Accounts (which
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can include both affiliated and unaffiliated ETFs and mutual funds) managed by Affiliated and Unaffiliated
Managers selected by Ayco PMG. Ayco PMG uses such models to assist in developing investment
recommendations to manage client accounts. Strategies are periodically reviewed and are rebalanced to
the appropriate model as applicable subject to their ability to maintain certain positions that have similar
characteristics as described above.
Ayco PMG consults with Wealth Advisors to provide guidance in developing portfolios for institutional clients
and manages certain institutional client accounts (sometimes referred to as Institutional Client Services)
based on strategic allocations and fees agreed with clients. Ayco PMG also assists ATAS in providing
investment advisory services to ATAS clients.
Not all recommendations provided by an Unaffiliated Manager or ISG will be implemented for a particular
strategy managed by Ayco PMG, as Ayco PMG generally has discretion to deviate from time to time from
the recommendations provided by the Unaffiliated Manager or ISG, as appropriate. Additionally, trades
made on behalf of accounts that commence trading after others may be subject to price movements,
particularly with orders that are large in relation to the security’s trading volume. Further, the selection of
the broker-dealer for execution, the timing of when the order is entered and executed by the broker-dealer,
time zone differences, the timing of the receipt of information regarding model portfolios, or the client’s
individual investment guidelines, among other factors, will affect implementation and performance of a
client’s Advisory Account to vary from the strategy chosen by the client and from Advisory Accounts of
other clients who have chosen the same strategy. Therefore, Advisory Accounts managed by Ayco PMG
may not track the intended model and such accounts may receive prices that are less favorable than the
prices obtained for other accounts. Additionally, any delay in the communication or receipt of information
regarding model portfolios may reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of such model portfolios. See Item 6
– Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management – Ayco PMG Portfolio Implementation and Item
12 – Brokerage Practices – Broker-Dealer Selection and Directed Brokerage below.
XIG performs due diligence on Third-Party Funds selected for Advisory Accounts by Ayco PMG. Such due
diligence generally includes, but is not limited to, on-site meetings, analytics related to historical
performance, reference calls and risk reviews. XIG credit analysts engage in ongoing risk management,
and portfolio monitoring of such investments, including an ongoing review of fund holdings, positioning
changes, general business trends, and daily risk reports.
Investment Restrictions
Clients have the option to impose reasonable restrictions or investment policy guidelines on the
management of their Advisory Accounts, including restricting particular securities, provided that the Adviser
or its affiliates or the Managers, as applicable, accept such restrictions. Any such restrictions will be
reflected in the investment guidelines or other documentation applicable to the Advisory Account. The
Adviser generally applies ticker restrictions and Managers may apply industry sector restrictions, but neither
the Adviser nor Managers generally apply other customized restrictions. The Adviser will generally not
accommodate client restrictions if they are inconsistent with the specific mandates or particular strategies.
If the Adviser is unable to accommodate a client’s requested restrictions, the client will need to find another
firm to help meet the client’s financial objectives. Managers will accept, or withdraw from the management
of, a client’s account based on the nature of the proposed restrictions or for any other reason. Further, each
Manager might apply guidelines or restrictions differently. In connection with certain strategies and/or for
purposes of seeking to apply the restrictions or limits requested by clients in connection with their account,
the Adviser and Managers could rely on third-party service providers in determining which securities to
exclude from investment, based on such service providers’ categorization of the types of companies,
industries, or sectors that should be considered in this regard. There can be no assurance that the list of
categories as determined by the Adviser or such service providers is complete, or that the securities
restricted as a result of such categorization represent all of the securities that might otherwise be restricted
in connection therewith, and it should be expected that such categories or the securities restricted
thereunder will change from time to time. Restrictions do not apply to underlying investments in pooled
investment vehicles, including mutual funds, structured notes, ETFs, alternative investment products made
available through the Advisers or an affiliate, including hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital
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funds, private real estate funds, private credit funds, and other private investments (“Alternative
Investments”), or other similar instruments.
Clients should be aware that the performance of Advisory Accounts with restrictions could differ from the
performance of Advisory Accounts without restrictions. The Adviser does not assume responsibility for
investment restrictions that are imposed by the client or any non-client individual or entity, including clients’
employers, or that are not communicated in writing to and accepted by the Adviser. Generally, Managers
can, in their discretion, hold the amount that would have been invested in the restricted security in cash or
money market funds, invest in substitute securities, or invest it across the other securities in the strategy
that are not restricted.
Further, as part of Goldman Sachs, a global financial services organization that is subject to a number of
legal and regulatory requirements, the Adviser is subject to, and has itself adopted internal guidelines,
restrictions and policies that restrict investment decisions and activities on behalf of clients under certain
circumstances. See Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading below.
Outsourcing of Certain Investment Operations
The Adviser from time to time works with various third-party service providers to help support the
operational needs of managing and servicing Advisory Accounts. These service providers perform or are
involved with operational functions such as opening accounts with account custodians, fee billing,
bankruptcy claims, proxy voting, portfolio reporting, account rebalancing, model maintenance, trade
execution and facilitating operational requests on behalf of clients based on instructions provided by the
Adviser, and charge annual fees per account as well as fees based on a percentage of assets in the
accounts they service. The Adviser will pass some or all of these fees onto the client, unless the client is
receiving such third-party services as part of a wrap fee program that includes the costs of these services.
Reliance on Information in Investment Management
In performing its services, the Adviser does not independently verify any information received from clients
or from a client’s other service providers, and relies solely on the information clients and their authorized
representatives provide. The client is free to accept or reject any asset allocation recommended by the
Adviser. Moreover, it is the client’s responsibility to notify the Adviser promptly in the event of changes in
the client’s financial situation or investment objectives so that the Adviser can re-evaluate or revise any
previous asset allocation recommendations or services provided to the client, if necessary.
Securities Class Actions and Proofs of Claim
The Adviser will not render advice or take any action on a client’s behalf with respect to the Adviser Advisory
Accounts or the issuers of the securities thereof that become the subject of any legal proceedings, including
bankruptcies and class actions. With respect to shareholder class action litigation and similar matters,
clients are encouraged to contact the custodian to ensure that the client receives notices and are aware of
the participation and filing requirements related to class action and similar proceedings. Clients with
GS&Co. custody accounts are able to appoint a third party to file claims on their behalf.
Other Offerings
Alternative Investments
The Adviser will provide non-discretionary advice with respect to buying, holding, selling, and trading
interests in Alternative Investments where the clients invest based on their own independent assessment
of the investment opportunity. Alternative Investments are subject to a high degree of risk, are not in the
best interest for all investors, and typically have limited liquidity and can pose challenges when seeking
to achieve, maintain or modify a portfolio’s allocation. By themselves, Alternative Investments do not
constitute a balanced investment portfolio. Clients should carefully review and consider potential risks
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before investing in Alternative Investments, including carefully reviewing all disclosure documents, private
offering memoranda, prospectuses, or other offering materials provided. Clients should also consider
consulting with separate managers or third-party service providers of an Alternative Investments and/or
tax or legal counsel.
Alternative Investments are made available through GS&Co. or through the separate managers or third-
party service providers of Alternative Investments. In some cases for affiliated Alternative Investments, the
management fee paid to the fund manager may be discounted or waived. For Alternative Investments
purchased in brokerage accounts, in addition to the management fee paid to the fund manager, clients also
pay investor servicing fees, distribution fees, or other similar fees as applicable. A portion of these fees are
paid to GS&Co. Except as described in Item 5 – Fees and Compensation – Alternative Investment Fees,
the Adviser does not exercise discretion over Alternative Investments, even if such investments are held in
an Advisory Account. Please also see Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of
Loss – Alternative Portfolio Services (APS), and Alternative Investment Risk.
Fixed and Variable Insurance and Annuities
The Adviser only provides non-discretionary advice with respect to fixed and variable insurance and
annuity products. Clients who choose to invest in fixed and variable insurance and annuity products do so
based on their own independent assessment and determination. The Adviser is affiliated with insurance
agencies within the Adviser’s internal insurance teams, the Wealth Strategies Group, including The Ayco
Services Agency, L.P. (“ASA”) and The Ayco Services Insurance Agency, Inc. (“ASIA”). Currently ASIA is
not utilized for the placement of new insurance policies. Certain Wealth Advisors are also licensed as
insurance agents with ASA and receive compensation related to fixed life insurance policies and annuity
contracts (together, “Fixed Products”) as described in Item 10 –- Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations. Certain Wealth Advisors who are licensed with GS&Co. receive compensation related to
variable life insurance products and variable annuity contracts (together, “Variable Products”), as described
below under Item 4 – Brokerage Activities and in Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations.
Wealth Advisors will, based on a client’s interest and financial planning needs, refer clients to ASA for the
placement of Fixed Products, to Mercer Allied and ASA for the distribution of Variable Products, or to an
unaffiliated third-party general insurance agency and/or broker-dealer. Unless otherwise agreed by the
Adviser in writing or through a separate notice to or from an affiliate, in cases in which insurance products
or annuities are made available to clients who do not receive advisory services, such engagement does not
result in an investment advisory relationship with the Adviser or any affiliate, and neither the Adviser nor
any affiliate has a corresponding fiduciary duty with respect to such clients.
When Wealth Advisors who are participants in the Adviser’s compensation plan refer clients to affiliates for
Fixed Products or Variable Products, including Mercer Allied and ASA, referral fees are paid subject to
applicable law and such referral fees will, in general, be paid to its employees if they hold appropriate state
insurance licenses and, if applicable, securities licenses. When Wealth Advisors recommend that a client
include an insurance product as part of the client’s portfolio or makes a referral of a client for the purchase
of an insurance product, Wealth Advisors are generally compensated for such referral. Wealth Advisors do
not recommend specific insurance products. See Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations for more information. Commissions paid by insurance carriers to ASA and/or Mercer Allied
increase as clients pay more premium for an insurance product and commission rates vary depending on
insurance carrier and product selected, which creates an incentive to encourage clients to use products
that pay the highest compensation. If a client is referred to ASA or Mercer Allied related to the purchase,
redemption or exchange of an insurance policy, clients are not obligated in any way to execute through
ASA or Mercer Allied. Clients should understand that recommendations by insurance agents to purchase
an insurance product are not made by the Adviser in its investment advisory capacity or otherwise, are not
subject to the Investment Management agreements with the Adviser, and are not subject to the same
standard of care as investment recommendations provided by investment advisers.
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The Adviser will not exercise discretionary control over retirement assets to purchase an insurance product.
Any changes in a client’s Variable Products (re-allocations among separate accounts underlying Variable
Products (“Variable Subaccounts”) or otherwise) are subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the
applicable variable life policies and variable annuity sponsor.
Generally, the Adviser does not provide advice or recommendations on the selection of Variable
Subaccounts as part of its Investment Management services, other than on an exception basis. Variable
Subaccounts that the Adviser may recommend are not reviewed by XIG and therefore are subject to a
different level of due diligence than other third party investments. The Adviser may provide clients with
education regarding asset allocation principles or examples of model portfolios.
Securities-Based Loans & Margin
Clients may be able to pledge account assets as collateral for loans obtained through certain affiliated and
unaffiliated lenders (“Securities-Based Loans”) if the use of leverage is determined to be legally permissible.
The Securities-Based Loans can be offered through Goldman Sachs Bank USA (“GS Bank”). See Item 10
– Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations – Other Material Relationships with Affiliated Entities –
Bank or Thrift Institution. The Securities-Based Loan programs available to clients of the Adviser will depend
on the custodian selected by the client. Clients should regularly monitor their loan activity and market values
of their pledged accounts at their custodian. Interest or other fees charged for margin are paid to the
custodian. Generally, clients that seek margin would open a brokerage account and obtain margin approval
through GS&Co.
Bank Deposit Cash Sweeps
Clients that select GS&Co. as their custodian may authorize Bank Deposit Cash Sweeps of their free credit
balances from their accounts into an available sweep option that includes an affiliated money market fund
or GS Bank-offered deposit sweeps, where free credit balances are swept into GS Bank on an omnibus
basis. See Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations – Other Material Relationships with
Affiliated Entities – Bank or Thrift Institution. Clients that have selected Fidelity as their custodian have
different sweep options made available by Fidelity. Sweep options to affiliated mutual funds for Retirement
Accounts may be limited.
Brokerage Activities
Generally, Wealth Advisors are registered with an affiliated broker dealer, GS&Co. or Mercer Allied. These
persons, in their capacity as registered representatives of GS&Co. or Mercer Allied, can refer clients to
GS&Co. for brokerage services or effect securities transactions in brokerage accounts. Wealth Advisors
also refer clients to GS&Co. for brokerage related services and to unaffiliated broker/dealers for other
brokerage related services, including individually directed, non-discretionary brokerage accounts. Wealth
Advisors registered with GS&Co. or Mercer Allied can also refer clients to Mercer Allied for Variable
Products, as discussed above. Wealth Advisors generally will receive referral fees for these referrals.
Clients are under no obligation to effect brokerage transactions through GS&Co or Mercer Allied. Because
of the potential for Wealth Advisors to generate a referral fee, Wealth Advisors have an incentive to
recommend insurance and investment products based on the potential compensation received, rather than
the client’s needs. This conflict is mitigated by the broker-dealers’ oversight of brokerage products and
sales activity of its registered representatives as well as Mercer Allied, GS&Co. and its registered
representatives’ obligation to act in a retail client’s best interest. See Item 10 – Other Financial Industry
Activities and Affiliations below.
GS&Co.’s primary role as broker is to execute trades for the client based on the client’s instructions and
Mercer Allied’s primary role is to place variable insurance products. The brokerage firm’s obligations to the
client are different when it acts as broker as compared to when the Adviser acts as investment adviser. The
client does not pay a separate fee for advice in brokerage transactions but compensates the brokerage
firm for trade execution only by payment of a commission or, in the case of placement of an insurance
product, the brokerage firm is paid a commission by the insurance company. In the brokerage account
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context, the Adviser is not acting as a fiduciary investment adviser with respect to the assets held in a
brokerage account. However, broker-dealers are subject to a best interest standard when recommending
securities transactions or investment strategies. Any advice or recommendations made by the Adviser with
respect to securities transactions or investment strategies for non-Retirement Accounts do not apply to and
should not be used by the client for any decision with respect to Retirement Account assets, which often
present different considerations.
Referrals to Affiliates and Third Parties
The Adviser refers clients to affiliates, including GSAM, ASA, GS&Co., and Mercer Allied, in connection
with certain services. Wealth Advisors may refer clients to PWM PWAs. In some circumstances, Wealth
Advisors will work alongside PWM PWAs to provide advisory services to PWM clients. Goldman Sachs
Ayco PWAs may select or recommend that clients appoint the Adviser or other affiliates to manage all or a
portion of the clients’ assets, including through Advisory Accounts managed by Ayco PMG. Advisory
Accounts with GS&Co. Custody are invested in one or multiple asset classes and types of investments,
which currently include certain structured investments, mutual funds, ETFs, cash and cash equivalents,
and other securities and investments. Goldman Sachs Ayco PWAs will also manage existing Advisory
Accounts for which Fidelity is custodian but typically, they will not purchase new assets for these accounts.
Subject to applicable law, the Adviser will receive commissions, referral fees or other compensation and
such receipt of such commissions, referral fees or compensation can be a factor in determining
compensation paid to its employees. Referral payments are also made for insurance contracts.
In addition, apart from the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser, the Adviser refers clients
and prospects that the Adviser has determined are not otherwise appropriate clients for the Adviser or its
affiliates to third-party investment advisers and will receive compensation in an amount calculated at an
annual rate of up to 0.225% of the assets in client accounts that are advised or managed by the third-party
investment advisers pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between client and the third party
investment advisers. Such third-party investment advisers have other relationships with Goldman Sachs
including for investment management and custodial services. Goldman Sachs will receive compensation
and other benefits for these services in addition to the referral fee in connection with such client referrals.
The Adviser does not undertake to act as investment adviser or assume any fiduciary obligation when
providing such referrals to third party investment advisers. The Adviser provides these referrals for general,
educational and discussion purposes only. No referral should be viewed or construed as investment advice
or a recommendation of any third-party investment adviser (or their products or services) based on a client
or prospect’s financial circumstances or investment objectives.
The Adviser should not be viewed or construed as acting in a fiduciary capacity, including under ERISA or
the IRC, when referring a client or prospect to any third-party investment adviser. Clients and prospects
should make their own assessment about whether any third-party investment adviser to which they are
referred is appropriate given such person’s financial circumstances or investment objectives. Please see
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation – Other Fees – Compensation for the Sale of Securities and Other
Investments for information on compensation and related conflicts.
The Adviser also provides referrals to unaffiliated third-party professionals (“Third-Party Professionals”) to
assist clients with recommendations, advice, financial planning strategies (including tax return preparation,
household payment administration and bill payment), and services not directly related to the Adviser’s
services. Unless otherwise indicated by the Adviser in writing, the Adviser does not undertake to, nor does
it perform, specific due diligence regarding Third-Party Professionals and such referrals do not constitute
recommendations by the Adviser of the Third-Party Professional or their services. Referrals to Third-Party
Professionals are made as an accommodation and generally are not compensated. The Adviser does not
undertake any fiduciary obligation when providing referrals to Third-Party Professionals. Services provided
by Third-Party Professionals are distinct from those provided by the Adviser and its affiliates and typically
involve additional terms of service. Third-Party Professionals may be different from the service providers
that the Adviser and its affiliates use to provide the same or similar services due to regulatory limitations or
other reasons. In instances where the Adviser maintains a business relationship with a Third-Party
18
Professional, such relationship should not influence the referral or the service received by the Third-Party
Professional.
Where the Adviser refers clients to affiliates, including GS&Co., GSAM and ASA in connection with certain
services, it receives referral fees subject to applicable law and compensates its eligible Wealth Advisors
who make such referrals.
Legal, Tax, and Accounting Advice and Services
As discussed above in Item 4 – Financial Planning, the Adviser may provide tax return preparation services
and tax advice to clients. The Adviser does not provide legal or accounting advice or services to clients.
Clients should consult with their own legal, tax, and accounting professionals before engaging in any
transaction.
Other Non-Advisory Services
The Adviser may also offer directly or through affiliates certain non-investment advisory services beyond
those already mentioned herein, such as insurance servicing for products and annuities placed through the
Adviser’s or its affiliated insurance teams, bill pay services, and various administrative services. Such
services are made available to clients based on a number of factors including client interest, total client
assets and other factors. Please see Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations for more
information. Such non-investment advisory services are provided to certain clients and non-clients, and
provision of any such services to a non-client does not result in that person becoming an advisory client of
the Adviser. Unless otherwise agreed by the Adviser in writing or through separate notice from an affiliate,
in cases where such services are made available, such engagement does not result in an investment
advisory relationship with the Adviser, and the Adviser has no corresponding fiduciary duty with respect to
such services.
Portfolio Management Services in Wrap Fee Programs
Clients who elect GS&Co. as their custodian have access to GS&Co.’s wrap fee program (“Managed
Account Strategies Program”). For wrap fee accounts, the client’s advisory fee covers all fees and charges
of GS&Co., including brokerage commissions and commission equivalents on agency transactions
executed through GS&Co. and custodial and administrative charges.
Information about GS&Co. as sponsor of its Managed Account Strategies Program is available in the
GS&Co. Wrap Fee Program Brochure (a copy of which is also available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov and
delivered to applicable clients).
Transition, Delegation or Assignment of Advisory Services to Affiliates
Due to business restructuring, personnel changes or changes in particular circumstances of a client and
the scope of their advisory services and advisory relationships, clients may be offered the option to transfer
their relationship to an affiliated adviser through delegation, assignment or through establishing a
relationship under new terms and conditions. Such changes result in differing arrangements among clients
of the same Wealth Advisor and different or legacy terms among clients of the Adviser, including higher or
lower fees for the same or similar products and services. Each circumstance is different and, in some cases,
the client will have the option to maintain the same products and services under the same terms and fee
schedule agreed with the original adviser. For any additional products or services made available to the
client by the affiliate, the client may be required to execute new agreements, and be subject to new or
differing disclosures that could supersede prior terms. For more information on the various fee
arrangements that may be available, clients can refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation, the standard
fee schedules contained in this Brochure in Appendix A and Appendix A of the PWM Brochure available at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Managed Strategy Fees are available to clients at https://goldman.com, or
available upon request to their Wealth Advisor.
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Assets Under Management
Clients may elect to have assets managed by the Wealth Advisors, Ayco PMG or Affiliated Managers and/or
Unaffiliated Managers. As of December 31, 2025, assets managed by Wealth Advisors and Ayco PMG
were approximately $34,126,400,000, all of which were managed on a discretionary basis. This figure
includes investments in pooled vehicles reflected in Advisory Accounts that are managed by an affiliate of
the Adviser or a third-party, but excludes other investments that an affiliate may otherwise include in its
assets under management. Clients also maintained approximately $70,957,500,000 in Advisory Accounts
invested in strategies that are managed by an Affiliated Manager or an Unaffiliated Manager, where Wealth
Advisors or Ayco PMG may provide advice and/or act with discretion in selecting, allocating to, or
recommending such strategies. This amount is not, and has not historically been, included in the assets
under management reported above.
ITEM 5 – FEES AND COMPENSATION
The Adviser is generally compensated through Financial Planning fees and/or Investment Management
fees that are charged to clients, along with other fees that may be charged by Goldman Sachs. Clients are
also responsible for third-party fees and charges, as described in more detail below. The Adviser utilizes
different fee structures as more fully described in Item 5 – Fees for Investment Management Services
below.
Negotiated Fees
Advisory fees are agreed upon with each client and confirmed in writing, which may be amended from time
to time. The Adviser considers a number of variables when analyzing the specific services to be provided
to the client and the appropriate cost for those services. Factors that determine the advisory fee could
include, but are not limited to:
the services expected to be performed;
the client’s Financial Planning and/or Investment Management needs;
the amount of investable assets;
the client’s net worth;
corporate affiliation, if acquired through a Corporate Partner;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) anticipated level of service;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) account objectives;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) distribution channel;
(cid:120) overall relationship, including whether the client participates in a Financial Planning
program through a Corporate Partner or receives other services under a separate fee
arrangement;
referrals from affiliated and unaffiliated parties; and
(cid:120)
(cid:120) historical fees charged to other similar clients in the region.
As a result, clients (including clients who are part of the same Corporate Partner program as applicable)
should expect to be charged different fees for similar services and the actual advisory fee may be higher or
lower than the fee charged to other clients depending on these broader considerations. Negotiated rates or
fee waivers, if applicable, made available through Corporate Partner relationships are generally only
available while a client is affiliated with a Corporate Partner.
The Adviser’s fees may be higher or lower than those charged by others in the industry and it is possible
to obtain the same or similar services from other advisers at lower or higher rates. Minimum balances or
minimum fees are modified and/or waived in the sole discretion of the Adviser or its affiliates, as applicable,
including as part of certain corporate-sponsored Financial Planning programs. Financial Planning fees will
vary as programs and services themselves vary (based on the factors described above). This will result in
a client or third party (e.g., Corporate Partner) paying different Financial Planning, program, and/or seminar
fees (as applicable) than another client or third party for similar services. Certain clients may have access
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to strategies or products that may not be available to other clients and pursuant to different fee schedules
or fee structures. Certain strategies or programs may be available only to the Adviser’s affiliates, or
employees of the Adviser and its affiliates or available to them, at lower rates than those available to other
clients. The same strategy or product can be subject to different fee schedules based on the Wealth
Advisor’s management of the Advisory Account or the client’s agreement with the Adviser on a particular
advisory strategy.
Corporate Partner programs may also include alternative fee arrangements, where the Corporate Partner
may provide certain of its products or services, or marketing or other benefits to the Adviser or its affiliates
pursuant to an arrangement whereby the Adviser provides its services to Corporate Partner members or
participants at discounted or waived fees. This can occur where, for example, a Corporate Partner provides
the Adviser or its affiliates with advertising or access to Corporate Partner members or participants (e.g.,
athletes or other talent), including through events sponsored by the Corporate Partner. Services may be
provided to Community-Based Partners on a fee waived or pro-bono basis, or at significantly reduced rates.
Some relationships may benefit from “householding.” Householding is an aggregation process that may
help clients negotiate a lower advisory fee rate by combining the amounts in client’s household program
accounts to achieve higher account values thereby reducing their fee to a rate lower than available to an
individual program account. Householding of related program accounts does not authorize others in a
client’s household to conduct transactions in a client’s individual account. Eligibility of Retirement Accounts
for householding is subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Fees for Financial Planning
Financial Planning Fees
The Adviser typically receives an annual Financial Planning fee. Such fee is payable, in whole or in part,
by the client, a Corporate Partner, or, in some cases, a third party pursuant to an arrangement with the
client or a Corporate Partner. The general range for the Adviser’s annual individual Financial Planning fee
is between $2,500 and $100,000. This range accounts for various distribution channels and types of
services offered and will vary depending on the client’s individual circumstances and needs. The Adviser
may add a 15% surcharge for services provided by the Adviser’s West Coast office. In addition, additional
charges may be imposed related to state specific circumstances. When clients are charged for Financial
Planning, fees for the cost of certain non-investment advisory services (e.g., tax preparation) may be
included. Typically, Financial Planning fees are payable on a semi-annual basis in advance. In certain
limited circumstances, the Adviser offers Financial Planning on an hourly basis (typically between $280 and
$600 an hour). Certain clients who maintain investment accounts with the Adviser and only receive
investment planning as their Financial Planning service (clients in the Adviser’s Personal Wealth offering
and certain clients in Executive Wealth and Personal Planning) do not typically pay a separate fee for this
service. However, typically for clients who receive both Financial Planning and Investment Management
services, the fees for these services are charged separately. In addition, the Adviser could introduce a fee
model whereby certain clients pay a comprehensive fee for Financial Planning and Investment
Management as set forth in their applicable documents. In limited cases the Adviser will waive its financial
planning fee. See Item 5 – Fees for Investment Management Services – Investment Management Fees
below.
For the Personal Planning service, Financial Planning fees are typically charged semi-annually in advance.
The fees are negotiated and can vary for many reasons, including taking into account the scope and size
of the relationship and services provided to the Corporate Partner. The fee generally ranges from $2,500
to $7,500 per year but can be more or less per client or can be waived. If services in addition to Financial
Planning are requested by a client or a Corporate Partner, additional fees will be charged and will vary
depending on the services selected and client’s individual circumstances and needs. Negotiated rates or
fee waivers, if applicable, made available through Corporate Partner relationships are generally not
available if an individual client is no longer affiliated with a Corporate Partner.
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Financial Planning fees are typically higher for Private Family Office clients, and generally require a
minimum annual fee of $125,000, billed quarterly. In addition, certain new Private Family Office clients pay
a one-time integration fee that typically ranges between $10,000 and $25,000, which includes data
collection and reporting set up. The Private Family Office intends to introduce an asset-based fee for its
services in the future, and expects to begin charging most Private Family Office clients quarterly in arrears
in 2026. On a limited basis clients may be able to engage the Private Family Office for more limited services,
and in such cases the clients generally will be charged on a per services basis.
A variety of pricing structures are available for Financial Wellness programs including a combination of one
or more of the following: a price per eligible program participant, a flat fee and a utilization-based model.
Pricing is program-dependent based on Corporate Partner size, program design and resource
requirements.
Fees for eligible program participants generally range from $25 to $250 annually, but fees may be adjusted
based on the particular circumstances. The Adviser will also negotiate alternative fee arrangements for
telephonic Financial Wellness programs that are based upon a platform access fee and specified number
of calls anticipated over a certain period of time and depend upon a number of factors including the eligible
population, scope of topics addressed, and timing of the program, with call blocks generally ranging from
$25,000 to $200,000. For utilization-based programs, price per participant will typically range from $750-
$1,000 per year. Program management fees may also apply. Minimum fees and fee ranges are charged
based upon: (i) number of eligible participants; (ii) volume of calls; (iii) usage rates; (iv) scope of services;
or (v) other negotiated factors. The Adviser will also negotiate flat fee arrangements for Financial Wellness
Services, a specified number of seminar days, and associated travel and living expenses.
fees
for specific
life event programs and services such as SurvivorSupport® or
Program
TransitionalSupport® (e.g., services tailored to serious illness or death of individual client or client’s family
member) range from $750 to $7,500 per client. In addition, certain programs, if provided on a standalone
basis, such as retirement readiness, may be billed at a flat rate that typically has a minimum fee of $50,000.
In addition to individual Financial Planning fees, certain Corporate Partners pay fees on a one-time or
recurring basis that will vary depending on program complexity and configuration requirements. Such
program fees can include: (i) an annual account maintenance fee that covers collection and analysis of the
Corporate Partner’s benefits and compensation plans for the purpose of counseling individuals participating
in the Adviser program; (ii) fees for direct access to certain services offered by the Adviser’s benefits
specialist team; and (iii) ongoing administration fees for the Adviser program. The Adviser may also
negotiate alternative flat fee arrangements with Corporate Partners for bundled services, including Financial
Wellness, Personal Planning and/or Executive Wealth.
Seminar fees vary depending upon the duration of the program, delivery method (live or recorded
webinars), the number of eligible participants, and the customization of the program itself. The Adviser’s
seminar fee ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 per session.
Arrangements through Corporate Partners generally differ from individual arrangements and can include
negotiated fee waivers or reduced fees for Investment Management services. See Item 5 – Negotiated Fees
above.
Billing Fee Adjustments, Pre-paid Fees, and Refunds
Billing arrangements related to Financial Planning, program, and seminar fees (as applicable) are
negotiable. Clients and/or third parties responsible for payment for services (e.g., Corporate Partners) may
be billed directly, and/or the client may authorize the payment of fees directly in writing from certain eligible
investment accounts. Payment of fees from a client’s investment account will impact the overall investment
return relative to such account. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing and as specifically noted below, upon
termination of a Financial Planning relationship before prepaid services are rendered, the Adviser will refund
such portion of the fee that has been prepaid but remains unearned.
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Except as negotiated between the Adviser and Corporate Partners, fees payable to the Adviser in
connection with Financial Wellness programs are non-refundable after the earlier of (i) the initial telephonic
or digital interaction with a client; or (ii) the Financial Wellness program or seminar is otherwise developed
or implemented.
Financial Planning, program, and seminar fees (as applicable) may be adjusted automatically by terms
mutually agreed upon by the Adviser and the client and/or third party responsible for payment for services
(e.g., Corporate Partners). Examples of automatic adjustment include increases to Financial Planning and
certain program fees (e.g., the annual account maintenance fee, if applicable) based on an increase in the
Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) for the services industry. The Adviser also reserves the right to adjust fees
in the event of extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, the client and/or third party responsible for
payment for services will be notified of any such proposed adjustment.
Corporate Partners are responsible for determining the amount of income to impute to individual executives
and participants, if any. The Adviser does not provide any advice in this regard.
Other Fees and Expenses Incurred in Connection with Advisory Services
Financial Planning fees only cover Financial Planning and do not cover any other services, accounts, or
products that clients obtain from the Adviser or its affiliates provided that the cost of certain non-investment
advisory services (e.g., tax preparation) may be included when clients are charged for Financial Planning.
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, clients who receive Investment Management services through the
Adviser will pay additional fees and expenses in connection with such services. Those fees and expenses
are described below. Clients who receive Investment Management services through affiliates will also pay
separate fees and expenses for those services, which are described in the affiliate’s ADV Part 2A brochure
and in any applicable fee schedules or agreements.
Fees for Investment Management Services
Investment Management Fees
Clients generally compensate the Adviser for its Investment Management services through the payment of
an advisory fee that is calculated as a percentage of assets in the Advisory Account. The Adviser primarily
offers a strategy-based fee model and a Comprehensive Pricing Program (“CPP”), which is a
comprehensive fee model. Not all fee models are offered to all clients and there may be differences
depending on the custodian the client selects. Different products and services are available depending on
the fee model available to the client. Clients must agree in writing to their fee model. Before agreeing to a
pricing model, clients should take into consideration factors such as their financial needs and
circumstances, investment objectives, services provided under the particular model, client preference, the
size of the account, client customization of investment guidelines, and any other relevant factors. Certain
account fees and expenses will be more or less expensive depending on the pricing model chosen.
Clients generally pay Execution Charges (as defined below) in addition to paying advisory fees. Depending
upon the custodian they select, clients will also pay custodian specific fees (if any) for custody, sub-advisory
services, administrative services and consolidated reporting, as well as underlying mutual fund, ETF, and
private investment fund fees and expenses, as described below. Certain clients receive different reports
and may pay additional fees for such reporting.
As described in more detail below, depending on the strategy or investment selected, clients will pay
transaction fees and execution charges, including commissions, commission equivalents, mark-ups, mark-
downs and spreads (collectively, “Execution Charges”) in addition to paying advisory fees. GS&Co. may
waive commissions and mark-ups/markdowns to which it is otherwise entitled for transactions, including in
certain equity and fixed income strategies managed by Advisory Personnel or the Adviser may not
otherwise charge clients for such fees. For the avoidance of doubt, spreads cannot be waived. During the
time that any such waiver is in effect, the Adviser will continue to receive the investment advisory fees
charged for the underlying investments, as well as the spreads and other compensation described in this
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Item 5 – Fees and Compensation. The waiver by the Adviser is not intended to affect the nature of the
investment advice provided. The Adviser may, in its discretion, elect to charge (or reinstate) commissions
and mark-ups/mark-downs at any time. Clients enrolled in CPP generally pay execution fees for all
transactions executed by GS&Co. or a third party. However, currently, unless otherwise agreed, Execution
Charges for strategies managed by Ayco PMG or by a Wealth Advisor are generally waived, with the
exception of trader assisted executions. Please see the Wrap Brochure to the GS&Co. Form ADV Part 2A,
Appendix 1 for additional information regarding execution and other fees for wrap strategies.
Comprehensive Pricing Program. Clients with CPP will generally pay, as applicable, (i) an annual advisory
fee that compensates the Adviser for providing investment advisory services; (ii) fees that compensate the
Managers of each Managed Strategy in the client’s account (“Managed Strategy Fees”); and (iii) custody
and Execution Charges (as defined below). Except as discussed below, the maximum advisory fee for CPP
is generally 1.50%. The advisory fee is charged at an annualized rate as agreed in the fee schedule in the
application that a client submits to open their Advisory Account, as amended from time to time in writing.
Generally, CPP has certain diversification requirements and is more appropriate for clients who will invest
across a number of asset classes. Whether a client will pay more or less with a CPP pricing model or a
strategy-based advisory fee model depends on a number of factors, including the services provided, client
preference, size of the client’s account, the client’s particular financial needs and circumstances and the
fees charged. The strategy-based pricing model generally provides for lower fee rates on certain asset
classes versus others, so that a client whose investments are primarily in such lower fee asset classes may
have fees that are lower than those of another client who participated in CPP who may have a similar asset
allocation.
Managed Strategy Fees, if applicable, begin accruing in Advisory Accounts that agree to CPP when assets
in an Advisory Account are allocated to a Managed Strategy. The description of Managed Strategy Fees
herein is meant to provide a general understanding of how Managed Strategy Fees are charged. The terms
of a particular Managed Strategy Fee charged by a portfolio manager are subject to the terms of each
portfolio manager’s brochure. The advisory fee for advice on certain types of arrangements will be billed
directly to the client or debited from another account for the client. For Separately Managed Accounts where
an Affiliated Manager serves as manager, Managed Strategy Fees are waived. Managed Strategy Fees
are disclosed to clients in the Comprehensive Pricing Program Portfolio Manager Fee Summary available
at https://goldman.com, or available to clients upon request to their Wealth Advisor.
Strategy-based fees. For Advisory Accounts (except for Retirement Accounts) that custody at Fidelity
clients generally pay strategy-based investment advisory fees that are set forth on the fee schedule
attached as Appendix A based on assets under management in the particular strategy.
Clients who elect GS&Co. custody agree to a specific fee for each Managed Strategy or if they choose to
participate in the Discretionary Management Selection (“DMS”) program, will agree to a fee schedule based
on the sub-asset class classification of each strategy.
Absent special circumstances, the fees set forth in the Appendices represent the current maximum advisory
fees for Advisory Accounts. The actual advisory fee paid by each client is set forth on the applicable fee
schedule agreed to by the client and may vary from those in the fee schedules herein. A client could pay
more or less than other clients invested in similar strategies or products.
From time to time for DMS, Goldman Sachs reclassifies Managed Strategies from one sub-asset class to
another sub-asset class. In these instances, clients who have elected to participate in the DMS program
may experience a change in the fee rate depending on the nature of the sub-asset class reclassification.
Upon notice to the client of a reclassification, if the fee rate associated with the new sub-asset class
classification differs (higher or lower) from the fee rate associated with the previous sub-asset class
classification, the client’s fee rate on the strategy will increase or decrease accordingly so long as the client
has a fee schedule on file for that sub-asset class. If a strategy is reclassified and a client in the DMS
program has not previously agreed to the new sub-asset class as part of the program, the client must agree
to include the new sub-asset class and related fee in the relevant program to maintain their investment in
the strategy. Clients who have elected not to participate in the DMS program will not experience a change
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in the fee rate (higher or lower) as they agree to fees for each Managed Strategy and not to fees for sub-
asset classes. The applicable fee applied to the account pursuant to the fee schedule is determined at the
time of initial investment. Notwithstanding different fee tiers for asset ranges set forth in the pertinent fee
schedule, fees are not adjusted in connection with any subsequent increases or decreases in investment
size for existing strategies, unless specifically negotiated. The foregoing will also apply to those clients who
continue to participate in the Verbal Manager Selection program that the Adviser no longer offers.
The Adviser charges a custody fee for certain accounts in the strategy-based pricing model that do not also
pay a separate counseling fee for operational and administrative support for Advisory Accounts. The
custody fee is generally based on the client’s relationship with GS&Co. and the amount of assets under
management. The amount of the custody fee appears on the client’s statement for the month in which the
fee is charged.
For ATAS clients, clients agree to the fees on the applicable strategy-based fee schedule. In addition to the
advisory fee charged by the Adviser on trust assets under management, depending on the amount of assets
under management, corporate trustees also charge a fee for their trustee and administrative services and
provide their own fee schedules. The trustee fees charged by corporate trustees to ATAS clients are
determined by the corporate trustees and, unless otherwise indicated to clients, generally range from
0.160% to 0.750% of assets under management, depending on the corporate trustee that the client selected
and the amount of assets under management.
Comprehensive Advisory Services Program. On a limited basis, the Adviser will make available the
Comprehensive Advisory Services Program (“CASP”) fee model. This fee model will generally only be made
available to new Institutional Client Services clients and/or clients that work with a Goldman Sachs Ayco
PWA. Generally, CASP has certain diversification requirements and is more appropriate for clients who will
invest across a number of asset classes rather than investing in one or two managed strategies. Whether
an advisory client will pay more or less with a CASP pricing model, CPP or a strategy-based advisory fee
model depends on a number of factors, including the services provided, client preference, size of the client’s
Advisory Account, the client’s particular financial needs and circumstances and the fees charged. If a client
has a CASP fee arrangement for advisory services, portfolio manager fees and Execution Charges, where
applicable, will apply in addition to the single advisory fee charged by the Adviser. CPP and CASP are
different pricing models and offer different products and pricing. CASP offers a tiered pricing model while
CPP does not. See Appendix A for additional information on CASP fees.
Personal Planning; Accounts Under $500,000. For certain Personal Planning clients who also wish to
engage the Adviser for investment management services with accounts holding under $500,000 there is a
separate fee program pursuant to which clients have access to a limited number of the Adviser’s Centrally
Managed Strategies. These clients generally execute separate fee schedules for each strategy and are
charged the same advisory fee of 0.85% for all strategies. This option is only available with Fidelity custody.
Retirement Account Fees. With respect to Retirement Accounts, the Adviser’s ability to collect certain fees
and other compensation (including certain fees described in Item 5 – Other Fees – Underlying Fund Fees
and Pooled Investment Vehicle Fees and Compensation for the Sale of Securities and Other Investments
below), to engage in certain transactions (including principal trades) and provide certain services is limited
by the Retirement Regulations. Notwithstanding the below, the actual fees that a client will be charged are
set forth in the client’s applicable fee schedule and other documentation governing the investment.
For Retirement Accounts that participate in the strategy-based fee model for the Managed Retirement
Program Platform, clients generally execute separate fee schedules for each strategy and are charged the
same advisory fee for all strategies with a maximum advisory fee of 1.50%.
Calculation and Deduction of Fees. Advisory fees paid by clients for Advisory Accounts are generally
charged quarterly in arrears based on the average market value of the assets in the account during the
previous quarter. However, from time to time there may be certain Advisory Accounts that custody with
Fidelity and are billed quarterly in advance based on previously negotiated billing arrangements. Fees are
25
prorated and due upon termination or for partial periods. See Item 5 – Other Fees – Terminated Accounts
below for a description of adjustments for terminated accounts.
For Advisory Accounts for which Fidelity acts as custodian, clients generally authorize the Adviser to direct
Fidelity to have their fees and expenses debited from their Advisory Account for credit to the Adviser and
its affiliates, as applicable. Cash and cash equivalents are generally included in the advisory fee calculation
for clients whose accounts are maintained by Fidelity as custodian. The average month-end values are
adjusted for significant cash flows (contributions and withdrawals).
For Advisory Accounts with GS&Co. custody, average market value is generally determined using averaged
end-of-day quantity and end-of-day market prices for each security, including any applicable accruals, and
advisory fees are automatically deducted from the client’s Advisory Account unless otherwise agreed
between the client and GS&Co in writing. Fees are prorated and due upon termination or for partial periods.
Transaction Fees
Depending on the strategy or investment selected, clients will pay Execution Charges unless waived by
GS&Co. or a third party. Generally, clients will be responsible for payment of all Execution Charges arising
from transactions effected for client accounts to either third parties if a third party is providing execution
services, or to GS&Co. if GS&Co. is providing execution services (other than for wrap accounts).
Commission schedules vary depending on the custodian and clients may pay more or less in Execution
Charges depending on the custodian they select, including when the same strategies are offered through
multiple custodians. Additionally, compensation paid to the Adviser and Wealth Advisors based on
Execution Charges differs depending on the custodian selected by the client. For example, the Adviser and
Wealth Advisors receive compensation related to GS&Co. Execution Charges for Advisory Accounts with
GS&Co. custody but are not compensated based on Fidelity Execution Charges for Advisory Accounts for
which Fidelity is custodian.
A description of the different types of Execution Charges that clients may pay is provided below. However,
the custodians reserve the right to charge fees in addition to what is described below including trade away
fees and fees related to specific investments such as mutual funds and Alternative Investments. For a
complete list of transaction fees that may apply to Advisory Accounts, clients should review their customer
agreements with the applicable custodian. Additionally, from time to time, Execution Charges are waived
by the broker-dealer. Strategies for clients in which Execution Charges are waived by the broker-dealer are
subject to the fee schedules set forth herein. When the Adviser waives this fee, the Adviser is less likely to
negotiate below its standard advisory fee schedule. Clients may be able to obtain the same investment
advisory and brokerage services that are offered for strategies where Execution Charges are waived
separately through the Adviser or other firms, and the cost of obtaining the services separately may be
more or less than the investment advisory fees charged for the strategies where Execution Charges are
waived by the Adviser depending on the anticipated trading activity.
Execution Charge
Commissions
Commission Equivalents
Description and Applicability
The amount charged by a broker for purchasing or selling securities or
other investments as an agent for the client, which is disclosed on the
client’s trade confirmations or otherwise. Commissions are charged in
connection with transactions involving equities, fixed income securities,
structured investments, MLPs, ETFs, listed options on equities and any
other securities traded as agent.
The amount charged by a dealer for purchasing or selling securities or
other investments in certain riskless principal transactions. Riskless
principal transactions refer to transactions in which a dealer, after having
received an order from a client to buy a particular security, purchases such
security from another person to offset a contemporaneous sale to the client
or, after having received an order from a client to sell a particular security,
sells such security to another person to offset a contemporaneous
purchase from the client.
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Execution Charge
Spreads
Mark-ups/Mark-downs
fixed
Description and Applicability
The difference between the current purchase or bid price (that is, the price
someone is willing to pay) and the current ask or offer price (that is, the
price at which someone is willing to sell), which is reflected in the price of
the security. The difference or spread narrows or widens in response to the
supply and demand levels of the security. Spreads are generally included
in transactions involving fixed income securities, structured investments
and currencies. Transactions may include a spread in addition to other
Execution Charges such as mark-ups/mark-downs.
A mark-up is the price charged to a client, less the prevailing market price,
which is included in the price of the security. A mark-down is the prevailing
market price of a security, less the amount a dealer pays to purchase the
security from the client, which is included in the price of the security. Mark-
ups/mark-downs are included in transactions involving, among other
investments,
investments and
income securities, structured
currencies.
Transaction fees are charged by the broker-dealer executing the transactions for client accounts. Clients
will be responsible for payment of all commissions (and commission equivalents), transfer fees, registration
costs, taxes and any other costs and transaction-related expenses and fees arising from transactions
effected for client accounts, including markups, markdowns, and spreads on principal transactions, auction
fees, fees charged for specified securities transactions on exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets,
American Depositary Receipt execution costs (such as conversion or creation fees, foreign exchange costs
and foreign tax charges), debit balances and margin interest, certain odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes,
electronic fund and wire transfer fees, fees in connection with trustee and other services rendered by
custodian, fees on NASDAQ trades, certain costs associated with trading in foreign securities and other
property, and any other charges mandated by law or otherwise agreed to by the client and the Adviser or
custodian unless the client has enrolled in a wrap fee program where the wrap fees cover these costs;
certain fees in connection with trust accounting, or the establishment, administration, or termination of
Retirement Accounts or other fees in connection with the provision of services by the Retirement Account
trustee or custodian, as applicable. The custody, brokerage, and other expenses clients are charged by the
custodian will be different from those incurred by clients that use a different custodian. Commissions will
be reflected on the confirmations clients receive for such trades. Execution Charges in connection with any
trades in fixed income securities will be included in the net price shown (but not separately itemized unless
required under applicable law) on client confirmations for such trades. The Adviser does not reduce its
advisory fees to offset Execution Charges except to the extent required by applicable law.
Advisory Accounts that use GS&Co. as custodian and that pay Execution Charges will do so at rates
determined by Goldman Sachs. These rates may be negotiated, and clients may pay more or less in
Execution Charges than similar clients for identical transactions, including those effected through Fidelity.
Execution Charges paid by similar clients may differ depending on the particular circumstances of the client,
including the size of the relationship and required service levels. When GS&Co. executes a trade through
a third-party broker-dealer, any applicable Execution Charges issued by the third-party broker-dealer will
be charged to the client. GS&Co. generally charges clients commissions according to the commission
schedules agreed to between them. However, there may be circumstances where GS&Co. charges
commissions for investments or transactions that are not covered by the commission schedule. In addition,
GS&Co. retains the right to waive commissions and mark-ups/mark-downs for certain clients, for execution
channels (e.g., electronic executions) or for investment strategies in its discretion. GS&Co. retains the right
to discontinue any such waivers at any time upon notice to clients. GS&Co. generally executes transactions
in certain non-U.S. equities and pooled investment vehicles, including ETFs, on a principal basis and
charges a commission equivalent for such transactions. Derivative transactions carry an embedded mark-
up to compensate Goldman Sachs (or other derivative counterparty) for executing the transaction and
taking market risk. Certain derivative transactions are subject to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and/or European Market
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Infrastructure Regulation requirements, which may include additional fees depending upon the type of
transaction and service clients choose (subject to eligibility requirements). Transactions in American
Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) generally include certain embedded execution costs including conversion or
creation fees, foreign exchange costs and foreign tax charges.
Goldman Sachs executes a significant volume of fixed income trades through third-party broker-dealers
and executes certain fixed income trades for certain strategies on an agency basis (“Agency Trading
Option”). In some cases, acquiring an investment through a third-party broker-dealer will result in fees and
Execution Charges that are different from those charged by GS&Co. for the same product and will be higher
or lower. In the case of the Agency Trading Option, rather than a mark-up/mark-down, clients are generally
charged an explicit commission that is disclosed on their trade confirmations. GS&Co. retains the right to
trade as principal (to the extent permitted by law) in order to provide eligible clients with access to new
issues or for best execution. Fixed income trades for the Adviser’s Retirement Accounts are solely executed
through the Agency Trading Option.
For Advisory Accounts for which Fidelity is custodian, clients should expect to pay Execution Charges,
which are in addition to the advisory fees charged by the Adviser. The Adviser and its affiliates do not share
in Execution Charges imposed by Fidelity and clients may pay more or less than similar clients charged for
identical transactions executed at GS&Co. Fidelity may offer discounted commission rates to their
employees who are advisory clients of the Adviser, change Execution Charges at any time, or waive
commissions or Execution Charges altogether, in their sole discretion. Clients should refer to the Fidelity
execution fee schedule then in effect, which is available from Fidelity or their Wealth Advisor.
If the Adviser and/or Goldman Sachs provide services to Advisory Accounts that have separate fees or
costs not included in the advisory fee, then the Adviser and Goldman Sachs (as applicable) will be entitled
to retain such amounts and they will not offset any other fees or compensation, unless expressly agreed.
GS&Co., like any other broker-dealer executing a transaction, has (directly or through its affiliates)
commercial interests in transactions that can be expected to diverge from the interests of Advisory
Accounts, such as obtaining favorable rates on Execution Charges. As described in Item 11 – Code of
Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading, Wealth Advisors receive
referral or brokerage compensation, if eligible, in connection with transactions effected for Advisory
Accounts custodied with GS&Co. For information about the Adviser’s brokerage practices, please refer to
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices.
Custody, Administration and Other Fees
Custody fees, administration fees and all other fees charged by service providers providing services to
Advisory Accounts are generally levied by the custodian, the administrator or other service providers for
the Advisory Account. While fees charged by service providers providing services to Advisory Accounts are
generally not included in the advisory fees payable to the Adviser, the Adviser may receive a portion of this
revenue. An Advisory Account (and fund investors indirectly) will generally bear such expenses unless
provided otherwise in the applicable governing documents. Generally, clients may be charged the following
fees from their account custodian(s) or executing broker: charges for transactions with respect to assets
not executed through the custodian; short term redemption costs; costs charged to shareholders of mutual
funds and ETFs by the fund manager; odd-lot differentials; American Depositary Receipt costs; costs
associated with exchanging currencies; or other costs required by law. Additionally, the client will be
charged for non-standard service fees incurred as a result of any special requests made by the client, such
as overnight courier or wiring fees. Custodians may also charge clients account transfer and/or termination
fees.
Custodial transaction fees (for transactions executed through the custodian’s broker-dealer) will be paid by
the client or by the Adviser as negotiated and stated in the client’s agreement with the account custodian.
Custodians charge clients other fees, beyond transaction fees. If applicable, the additional fees charged to
clients by the custodian include, but are not limited to, fees related to custodial and clearing agent services,
maintenance of portfolio accounting systems, preparation and mailing of client statements, account
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processing, systematic withdrawals, redemptions, terminations, account transfers, Retirement Account
custodial services, or maintenance of a client inquiry system.
Depending on the custodian relationship, and/or the account type, additional expenses charged to an
Advisory Account, either directly or indirectly through a Manager, investment adviser or vendor, could
include:
(i) debt-related costs and expenses, including expenses related to raising leverage, refinancing,
short term and other liquidity facilities, derivatives and other arrangements that have the effect of
providing leverage, administering and servicing debt, and the cost of compliance with lender
requests (including travel and entertainment expenses relating to the foregoing);
(ii) investment-related expenses, including due diligence and research, expenses relating to
identifying, investigating, evaluating, registering, valuing, structuring, closing, purchasing,
monitoring, managing (which may include costs and expenses of attending and/or sponsoring
industry conferences or other meetings), servicing, holding, tracking and harvesting of investments
and potential investments (including travel and entertainment expenses relating to the foregoing),
and expenses relating to background checks;
(iii) expenses related to hedging, including currency, interest rate and/or other hedging strategies,
and the settlement of hedging transactions;
(iv) legal, tax, administration and accounting expenses, including expenses for preparation of
annual audited financial statements, tax return preparation, tax and legal advice in connection with,
among other things, acquiring, holding and disposing investments and operational matters, wire
transfer fees, mailing costs and expenses, legal costs and expenses associated with indemnity,
litigations, claims, tax audits, arbitrations, mediations, government investigations or disputes in
connection with the business of an Advisory Account, and the amount of any judgments or
settlements paid in connection therewith or the enforcement of an Advisory Account’s rights against
any person or entity, and expenses related to reporting and filings done by external tax
professionals or for outside consultants engaged to assist Goldman Sachs. personnel with regard
to such functions;
(v) professional fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of financial advisers,
consultants, finders and experts, as well as fees and expenses in connection with participation in
bondholder groups, expenses relating to third-party valuation agents, restructurings, class actions
and other litigation);
(vi) costs and expenses of operating Advisory Accounts, including fees and expenses of directors,
trustees, or independent general partners or similar control persons;
(vii) technology expenses, including news and quotation services;
(viii) insurance premiums (which insurance generally covers numerous Advisory Accounts, in which
case each participating Advisory Account is responsible for a share of the premiums);
(ix) expenses related to compliance by an Advisory Account with any applicable law, rule or
directive or any other regulatory requirement, or compliance with the foregoing requirements by the
Adviser or its affiliates to the extent such compliance relates to an Advisory Account’s activities,
including (a) in each case, expenses related to reporting and filings done by external professionals
or service providers or for outside consultants engaged to assist Goldman Sachs. personnel with
regard to such functions and (b) costs and expenses and fees incurred in connection with
establishing, implementing, monitoring and/or measuring the impact of any ESG policies and
programs with respect to an Advisory Account or its investments or prospective investments,
including, without limitation, all fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with reporting on
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such ESG policies and programs or otherwise evaluating the achievement of any ESG objectives
by an Advisory Account or its investments or prospective investments;
(x) fees payable to the Adviser or its affiliates for loan servicing, tax, accounting, and administrative
services provided by the Adviser or its affiliates to Advisory Accounts(including internal accounting
services), which represent (in some cases as a flat fee per annum) an allocable portion of overhead
costs of the departments providing such services and which generally are determined by the
Adviser by reference to the amount of time spent by and the seniority of the employee providing
the in-house services; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, since the in-house expense
allocation process relies on certain judgments and assessments that in turn are based on
information and estimates from various individuals, the allocations that result may not be exact;
(xi) costs, expenses and fees incurred by certain Advisory Accounts in connection with any
activities, meetings, conferences, symposia, or other gatherings of special committees or councils
with respect to such Advisory Accounts; and
(xii) any other reasonable expenses authorized by the applicable governing documents, or that are
reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with managing an Advisory Account.
Administrative costs for Retirement Accounts and any platform (technology) fees are paid directly
by the client, unless other arrangements have been made.
Additionally, a transaction cost is charged by the SEC to sellers of securities that are traded on stock
exchanges and subsequently assessed to clients. These fees are required by Section 31(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are charged to recover the fees associated with the government’s
supervision and regulation of the securities markets and securities professionals.
Clients that custody their Advisory Accounts with Fidelity generally pay fees to Fidelity for operational and
administrative support, such as account closeout fees and 990-T service fees, as applicable, including the
other fees identified above and elsewhere in this Brochure or as otherwise included in a client’s agreements
with Fidelity. The Adviser does not share in these fees.
When a custody fee is charged by Goldman Sachs the amount of the custody fee varies based on the
client’s relationship with GS&Co. and the amount of assets under management. The amount of the custody
fee appears on the client’s statement for the month in which the fee is charged. Additional administrative
fees for Retirement Accounts are charged by unaffiliated third-party service providers.
To the extent Goldman Sachs provides services to Advisory Accounts that are not included in the advisory
fee, Goldman Sachs will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts, without offset to any other
fees or compensation paid by an Advisory Account.
Other Fees
Servicing and Similar Fees
Certain clients pay fees to the Adviser or its affiliates for administrative or other services provided by the
Adviser or such affiliates, as described in more detail in the relevant client’s governing documents. Such
fees are in addition to any investment advisory fees chargeable to the Advisory Accounts. More information
about administrative and other fees paid to third-party service providers is provided in other sections within
this Item 5 – Fees for Investment Management Services – Custody, Administration and Other Fees above.
Fees for Securities and Other Investments Purchased Through Brokerage Accounts
Certain securities and investment products that the Wealth Advisors recommend or select for Advisory
Accounts are available for purchase through a brokerage account at GS&Co. or an unaffiliated financial
institution. Clients who purchase securities and investment products outside of their Advisory Accounts will
not incur the advisory fees described in this Brochure, and any other fees and expenses may differ from
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those charged to Advisory Accounts. In those circumstances, however, such clients do not receive the
investment advice and other services that the Adviser provides to clients with Advisory Accounts.
Consolidated Reporting Services
In certain circumstances, clients pay an additional fee to GS&Co. for reporting on assets held away from
GS&Co. at unaffiliated custodians, as well as assets custodied with GS&Co. GS&Co. retains the right, in
its discretion, to waive fees for consolidated reporting for certain clients based upon criteria, such as assets
under management.
Underlying Fund Fees and Pooled Investment Vehicle Fees
Advisory Account assets invested in pooled investment vehicles pay all fees and expenses applicable to
an investment in the funds, including fixed fees, asset-based fees, performance-based fees, carried
interest, incentive allocation, and other compensation, fees, expenses and transaction charges payable to
the managers in consideration of the managers’ services to the funds and fees paid for advisory,
administration, distribution, shareholder servicing, subaccounting, custody subtransfer agency, and other
related services, or “12b-1” fees. Fund fees and expenses are described in the relevant fund prospectuses
and are paid by the funds but are ultimately borne by clients as shareholders in the funds. If the fund is an
affiliated fund, all or a portion of these fees are generally paid to Goldman Sachs as described in Item 10 –
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations – Other Material Relationships with Affiliated Entities.
These fees and expenses are generally in addition to the advisory fees each Advisory Account pays to the
Adviser and any applicable Execution Charges. The Adviser may determine to waive advisory fees on
assets where the investments generate additional fees for Goldman Sachs. In other circumstances advisory
fees will be waived if required by applicable law.
The custodians (or their broker-dealers) make available mutual fund share classes on their platforms at
their sole discretion. Different mutual funds with similar investment policies, and different share classes
within those funds, will have different expense levels. Generally, a fund or share class with a lower minimum
investment requirement has higher expenses, and therefore a lower return, than a fund or share class with
a higher minimum investment requirement. The share classes made available by the various custodians
(or their broker-dealers) and which the Adviser selects for clients' accounts will not necessarily be the lowest
cost share classes for which clients are eligible or that might otherwise be available if clients invested in
mutual funds though another firm or through the mutual funds directly. In addition, a Goldman Sachs affiliate
that manages a private investment fund typically receives deal fees, sponsor fees, monitoring fees or other
similar fees for services provided to portfolio companies. The fees and expenses imposed by a private
investment fund may offset trading profits and, therefore, reduce returns. An investor in a fund-of-funds
vehicle also bears a proportionate share of the fees and expenses of each underlying investment fund.
These fees and expenses can differ depending on the class of shares or other interests purchased.
Mutual fund and ETF fees and expenses will result in a client paying multiple fees with respect to mutual
funds and ETFs held in an Advisory Account and clients may be able to obtain these services elsewhere
at a lower cost. For example, if a client were to purchase a mutual fund or ETF directly in a brokerage
account, the client would not pay an advisory fee to the Adviser. Currently, for Advisory Accounts that agree
to a strategy-based pricing model and CPP retirement accounts, affiliated mutual funds are not subject to
the Adviser’s advisory fees but could be subject to various other fees and expenses paid to the service
providers of each affiliated mutual fund, some of which are affiliates of the Adviser. It should be expected
that these affiliates, as well as the Adviser and eligible Wealth Advisors, will receive compensation with
respect to such fees. For additional information on compensation earned for the sale of these products,
please see below and Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations.
Goldman Sachs acts as investment adviser to pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds, collective
investment trusts, private investment funds, and other pooled investment vehicles (e.g., hedge funds,
private equity funds, funds of funds, private credit funds, real estate funds and business development
companies). Goldman Sachs’ fees for such services are based on each investment vehicle’s particular
structure, investment process, and other factors. Goldman Sachs generally receives a management fee for
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management of non-private investment funds and a management fee and an incentive fee or allocation
from private investment funds (other than certain categories of private investment funds, including but not
limited to investment vehicles managed by XIG that invest substantially all of their assets in primary
investments in underlying funds managed by Unaffiliated Managers (“XIG Program Funds”) and long-only
funds), business development companies and certain registered investment companies. The amount and
structure of the management fee, incentive fee and/or allocation varies from fund to fund (and varies
significantly depending on the investment fund) and is set forth in the prospectus or other relevant offering
document for each fund. In certain cases, an investor receives fee reductions of all or a portion of the
management fee (and/or incentive fee or allocation) attributable to that investor’s interest in the pooled
investment vehicle, or invest fee free in pooled investment vehicles and pay negotiated fees outside of the
pooled investment vehicle, which may be based on a separate fee schedule agreed upon by Goldman
Sachs and the applicable investor. Certain of Goldman Sachs’ fee structures create an incentive for
Goldman Sachs to cause the pooled investment vehicles to make investments earlier in the life of such
vehicle than otherwise would have been the case, redeploy investment proceeds in order to receive ongoing
asset-based fees, or defer the disposition of a poorly performing investment in order to defer any potential
clawback obligation, continue to receive asset-based management fees, or possibly receive a larger carried
interest or incentive allocation if the value of the investment increases in the future. Goldman Sachs
receives similar fees from other types of vehicles (e.g., securitization vehicles) in respect of the advisory
services Goldman Sachs provides to such vehicles.
Certain investors that are invested in pooled investment vehicles pay higher or lower fees and/or are subject
to higher or lower carried interest and/or incentive allocations than similarly situated investors that are
invested in the same pooled investment vehicle. Amounts, rates, breakpoints, hurdles or similar calculation
methodologies vary as a result of negotiations, discussions and/or factors that include the particular
circumstances of the investor, the size and scope of the overall relationship, whether the investor has a
multi-strategy, multi-asset class or multi-product investment program with Goldman Sachs or GS&Co., or
as otherwise agreed with specific investors. Fees and allocations charged to investors may differ depending
on the class of shares or other interests purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain cases,
Goldman Sachs provides investment advisory services to funds without receiving any fee for such services.
In these cases, Goldman Sachs may receive placement fees or compensation for other non-investment
advisory services from the funds, the investors in the funds (including Advisory Accounts), or from the
companies or underlying funds in which the Goldman Sachs-managed funds invest. The terms of any such
arrangements are disclosed in the governing documents or disclosure documents relating to the Goldman
Sachs-managed funds. Management fees and incentive fees or allocations are generally not payable by
funds raised for the benefit of Goldman Sachs employees.
Master-feeder funds (i.e., structures in which investors invest in entities commonly referred to as feeder
funds, which then invest their assets in other entities commonly referred to as master funds), investment
vehicles managed by XIG that invest substantially all of their assets in underlying funds managed by
Unaffiliated Managers, and certain other funds are subject to multiple levels of expenses and, in certain
cases, are subject to multiple levels of fees. Certain pooled investment vehicles are also subject to
subscription and/or redemption/withdrawal fees, including in connection with early redemption penalties,
described in the relevant offering and governing documentation.
Generally, compensation received by Goldman Sachs related to various services provided to pooled
investment vehicles is retained by Goldman Sachs. Except to the extent required by applicable law, the
Adviser and its affiliates are not required to offset such compensation against fees and expenses the client
otherwise owes Goldman Sachs. To the extent Goldman Sachs decides to offset any compensation,
Goldman Sachs does so in its sole and absolute discretion and the methods used to calculate any such
amounts when they are applied to any client fees and expenses may be different from the calculations used
to determine the amount of compensation Goldman Sachs receives. Specifically, for accounts other than
Retirement Accounts, any offset amount may be higher or lower than the actual amount Goldman Sachs
receives from any pooled investment vehicle.
Goldman Sachs makes mutual fund share classes available on its platform at its sole discretion.
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Goldman Sachs will normally make available on its platform, to the extent permitted by law, a share class
of a mutual fund that pays compensation to Goldman Sachs, including fees, for providing services (such as
investment advisory, administration, transfer agency, distribution, and shareholder services) to the mutual
fund. In certain circumstances, such fees are rebated against the fees paid by a client to the Adviser for
advisory services. The additional compensation that Goldman Sachs receives normally varies depending
on the mutual fund and share class made available, and is paid from the fund, the sponsor or the adviser
to the extent permitted by applicable law. When selecting a share class of a mutual fund to offer on its
platform, Goldman Sachs has a conflict of interest when its selection of a more expensive share class or
recommendation of a more expensive mutual fund results in greater compensation to Goldman Sachs.
Goldman Sachs addresses this conflict through a combination of disclosure to clients and through Goldman
Sachs’ policies and procedures and related controls designed to ensure that the fees it charges to clients
are fair and reasonable.
Different mutual funds with similar investment policies, and different share classes within those funds, have
different expense levels. A fund or share class with a lower minimum investment requirement may have
higher expenses, and therefore a lower return, than a fund or share class with a higher minimum investment
requirement. Goldman Sachs may offer a single share class for each mutual fund it makes available on its
platform at any given time, even if a mutual fund has multiple share classes for which Goldman Sachs
clients are eligible. Goldman Sachs will not necessarily make available the lowest cost share class of a
mutual fund. As a result, the share class of a mutual fund offered by Goldman Sachs can have higher
expenses (including because of compensation paid to Goldman Sachs as discussed above), and therefore
lower returns, than other share classes of that mutual fund for which a client is eligible or that might
otherwise be available if a client invested in the mutual fund through a third party or through the mutual
fund directly. When determining the reasonableness of any fees and expenses paid to Goldman Sachs, a
client should consider both the fees and expenses that Goldman Sachs charges the Advisory Account and
any indirect fees and expenses charged in connection with any investment in share classes of mutual funds
that bear expenses greater than other share classes those for which a client is otherwise eligible.
Information about the mutual funds and share classes that are available through Goldman Sachs, including
their investment policies, restrictions, charges, and expenses, is contained in the mutual funds’
prospectuses. Goldman Sachs may also establish and change in its sole discretion and at any time the
different investment minimums and/or other requirements that will apply to the availability of mutual fund
and share classes for an account based upon a variety of factors, including a client’s overall relationship
with Goldman Sachs, type of account, legal or regulatory restrictions, or any other factors relevant to the
relationship.
Alternative Investment Fees
As described in Item 4 – Advisory Business, the Adviser may recommend that a client invest a portion of
the client’s assets as permitted in an Alternative Investment, based on the individual client’s risk tolerance
and objectives. Actual fees paid to the Alternative Investment fund are disclosed in the private placement
memorandum (“PPM”), a supplement to the PPM or in a prospectus of the Alternative Investment fund. In
some cases for affiliated Alternative Investments, the management fee paid to the fund manager may be
discounted or waived.
If appropriate, the Adviser will recommend Alternative Investments for brokerage accounts (that are not
Retirement Accounts) and is paid a commission for the sale of such products.
The Alternative Investment platform provider may receive from the investment manager compensation
based on platform and management costs, and or revenue derived for serving as introducing broker for
certain platform funds.
Except as described below, even if such investments are held in an advisory account, the Adviser does not
exercise discretion over Alternative Investments. Unless otherwise specified in writing, clients are
responsible for initially executing any documents required to be completed by the investment manager and
for continuously maintaining any subsequent documentation required after the initial investment is made.
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See Item 4 – Advisory Business – Alternative Investments for more information about Alternative
Investment recommendations.
Clients may be given the opportunity to participate in Alternatives Portfolio Services (“APS”), an Alternative
Investment fund strategy managed within PWM. Fees for APS Advisory Accounts are initially calculated
based on the total amount(s) committed to each Alternative Investment fund as part of the APS account,
commencing on the date of each individual commitment to an Alternative Investment fund and continuing
until the end of the fifth year following such date. Following the initial five year period, fees are thereafter
based on the market value of each investment in the APS account and will be calculated and payable
quarterly in arrears based on the average market value of the Alternative Investments in the account.
Terminated Accounts
If the Adviser’s services are terminated by written notice by either party and the advisory fee was charged
in arrears, fees will be prorated and due upon termination or for partial periods as applicable. If the advisory
fee was paid in advance, the Adviser will conduct an analysis of services provided to determine whether
any pre-paid costs were unearned, and any such unearned pre-paid costs will be refunded to the client.
In the case of Advisory Accounts with GS&Co. custody, upon termination of an account the Adviser may in
its discretion transfer assets in the account to a brokerage account subject to the fees as agreed in any
GS&Co. customer agreement. In the case of Advisory Accounts for which Fidelity is custodian, after the
Adviser terminates an account, an Advisory Account will become a self-directed brokerage account subject
to fees as agreed in any Fidelity brokerage agreement within the timeframe set forth in the client’s account
agreements.
Compensation for the Sale of Securities and Other Investments
The Adviser and Wealth Advisors receive compensation based on revenues generated from Financial
Planning and from client accounts including asset management fees, commissions and other revenues
related to the purchase and sale of securities, banking or other products, and fees associated with other
products or services, as applicable. Such compensation creates a potential conflict of interest that gives
the Adviser and certain Wealth Advisors an incentive to recommend such securities, other investments, or
pricing model, if applicable, based on the compensation received. Fees are higher for some investments
and services, and the compensation directly or indirectly paid to the Adviser and certain Wealth Advisors is
greater in certain cases. Certain Wealth Advisors are eligible for additional compensation based upon
revenue generated by client accounts and growth in client assets. Some Wealth Advisors receive a salary
and discretionary bonus. Clients are not entitled to receive compensation related to any business of
Goldman Sachs. The amount of compensation paid to Wealth Advisors will be more or less depending on
many factors, including the Managed Strategy selected, the length of time clients’ assets remain under
management, and the client’s fee arrangement. Compensation rates also differ depending on the fee model
applicable to the client’s accounts. Moreover, the timing of compensation to Wealth Advisors differs as
between investment products and annuities. With respect to Retirement Accounts, Wealth Advisors receive
the same compensation regardless of the Managed Strategy selected. Not all clients are eligible for or
offered all products. Further, Wealth Advisors who transfer from one affiliate to another or joined the adviser
via acquisition may continue to receive compensation under the same terms that they did prior to the
transfer and such terms may differ from the compensation arrangements of other advisors. In addition to
the information contained in this Brochure, other conflicts of interest, if any, are disclosed in strategy and
transaction specific documents provided to clients from time to time and in separate agreements, including
agreements for Investment Management services.
As discussed above, Goldman Sachs may receive fees in connection with the sale of mutual funds including
“12b-1” fees or other compensation from affiliates of a mutual fund in connection with the sale of those
products. In such arrangements, compensation to Goldman Sachs generally increases as the amount of
assets invested by clients in such securities and other investment products increases. The Adviser’s
selection or recommendation of securities and other investment products where Goldman Sachs shares in
the fees and profits would result in additional compensation to Goldman Sachs. This creates an incentive
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for the Adviser to recommend or select investment products that are advised, managed or sponsored by
Goldman Sachs. The Adviser limits the potential conflicts of interest associated with selecting between the
Third-Party Funds and affiliated mutual funds by implementing a compensation structure where the
compensation paid to Wealth Advisors generally does not vary based on whether the Advisory Account
invests in a Third-Party Fund or an affiliated fund in the same asset class. However, in some cases,
compensation to a Wealth Advisor could be reduced based on the fee structure of underlying investments,
which gives Wealth Advisor an incentive to recommend products that do not reduce their own
compensation.
Goldman Sachs also maintains a variety of banking, financial, or service relationships with regard to
securities and other investments, including relationships with their principal underwriters, investment
advisers, sponsors, or other service providers. These relationships include acting as a broker or a dealer,
engaging in foreign exchange transactions or directing the sale of securities or other financial instruments.
In some instances, investment managers of particular investments, or their affiliates, have relationships
with Goldman Sachs, including serving as an investment manager in programs sponsored by Goldman
Sachs. As a result, the Adviser has an incentive to recommend these securities and other investment
products. Furthermore, Wealth Advisors are eligible in certain instances to receive compensation in
connection with their role in establishing such relationships for Goldman Sachs. The Adviser also has a
financial incentive to allocate Advisory Account assets to securities issued, managed, or issued and
managed, by Goldman Sachs, including Affiliated Managers and accounts managed by Ayco PMG
(“Affiliated Products”), rather than to separate accounts or mutual funds managed, sponsored, advised or
issued by investment managers or organizations not affiliated with Goldman Sachs (“External Products”).
The Adviser has an incentive to allocate the assets of Advisory Accounts to, or recommend (as applicable
and permissible), Affiliated Products that impose higher fees than those imposed by other Affiliated
Products or that provide other benefits to Goldman Sachs. Any differential in compensation paid to
personnel in connection with certain Affiliated Products rather than other Affiliated Products creates a
financial incentive on the part of the Adviser to select or recommend (as applicable and permissible) certain
Affiliated Products over other Affiliated Products. Correspondingly, the Adviser is disincentivized to consider
or recommend the removal of an Advisory Account’s assets from, or the modification of an Advisory
Account’s allocations to, an Affiliated Product at a time that it otherwise would have where doing so would
decrease the fees, compensation and other benefits to Goldman Sachs, including where disposal of such
Affiliated Product by the Advisory Account would likely adversely affect the Affiliated Product with respect
to its liquidity position or otherwise.
In particular, it should be expected that Wealth Advisors earn higher compensation for investments in
affiliated Tax Advantaged Core Strategies (“TACS”) and Fixed Income strategies than for investments in
third-party strategies following the same or similar asset classes or strategies, and options to invest in
such third-party strategies are more limited. Clients should review at least annually whether their selected
strategies continue to be appropriate for them given their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and
financial circumstances and consider whether any adjustments, particularly to criteria such as credit
quality, concentration and duration for fixed income portfolios, should be made.
Performance of any strategy may vary from the benchmark referenced by the manager for various
reasons, including, without limitation, customization of the strategy to the client’s wishes or restrictions,
credit quality or ratings, duration and concentration within a certain state or issuer. Different benchmarks
may also appear on client statements for purposes of comparison.
Additionally, certain actively managed ETFs have comparable investment strategies that are priced
differently from each other and from mutual funds and therefore compensation to Wealth Advisors differs.
As a result, as described above, Wealth Advisors have an incentive to recommend strategies or funds, or
not remove strategies and funds, that would result in higher compensation paid to the Wealth Advisor.
Unless otherwise required by applicable law, neither Goldman Sachs nor the Adviser will be required to
share any fees, allocations, compensation, remuneration or other benefits received in connection with an
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Advisory Account with the client or offset such fees, allocations, compensation, remuneration and other
benefits against fees and expenses the client otherwise owes Goldman Sachs unless required by law.
Clients may allocate assets to Separately Managed Accounts managed by Advisory Personnel, an affiliate,
an Unaffiliated Manager or to wrap fee accounts, that is, accounts for which the client’s advisory fee covers
all fees or charges of GS&Co. as the sponsor, including brokerage commissions and commission
equivalents on agency transactions executed through GS&Co. and custodial and administrative charges.
Wrap fee accounts are managed by Affiliated Managers or Unaffiliated Managers.
The advisory fee paid for Separately Managed Accounts to the Adviser or an affiliate does not include
Execution Charges, custodial or other fees, which instead are paid separately by the client. If the wrap fee
or the investment advisory fee charged to strategies where Execution Charges are currently waived is not
priced to account for the total cost of Execution Charges expected to be generated in a traditional separate
account, the client may pay more for the traditional separate account. The amount of compensation
received by the Adviser in connection with a “wrap fee” account advised by the Adviser may differ from the
compensation received by the Adviser in connection with a traditional separate account also advised by the
Adviser or Advisory Accounts investing in strategies where Execution Charges are currently waived. Any
such differentials in compensation create a financial incentive on the part of the Adviser and the Advisory
Personnel to recommend or, if applicable, select one advisory program, Manager, asset class or investment
strategy over another.
In some cases a wrap fee charged by the Adviser typically will be greater than the fees that are charged
for a different advisory program or strategy offered by the Adviser that does not include costs for execution,
custody or other services utilized by the client. Clients may be able to obtain some or all of the services
offered through the Adviser’s wrap program separately from the Adviser or from other firms, and the cost
of obtaining the services separately may be more or less than the wrap fee. Factors that bear on the cost
of the wrap fee in relation to the cost of the same services purchased separately include the range of
investment strategies and Managers selected, anticipated trading activity and the range of custodial,
reporting and other ancillary services that are available. Clients should also understand that the combination
of the wrap program services may not be available separately and certain Managers might not be willing or
able to provide their services or particular investment strategies outside of the wrap because of minimum
account sizes or other factors.
In addition to the disclosures contained in this Brochure, these and other potential conflicts of interest are
disclosed in strategy and transaction specific documents provided to clients from time to time and in the
Adviser’s Investment Management agreement with the client.
The Adviser’s affiliated broker-dealer, Mercer Allied, and their affiliated insurance agencies, ASA and ASIA,
receive insurance commissions and other compensation from insurers for the distribution of insurance
policies and annuities, including Variable Products, which inure to the benefit of the Adviser. Commissions
and other compensation are paid to ASA, ASIA and Mercer by insurance companies for the placement and
distribution of insurance and annuity products. These commissions and other compensation are paid to
ASA, ASIA and Mercer Allied for acting as a retail distributor, wholesale distributor, or both. Other
compensation from the insurance companies might also include various incentives in addition to standard
commissions or referral fees, including contingent commissions, and other awards and bonuses, such as
trips, expense allowances, marketing allowances, training and education. Incentive or contingent
compensation is based upon a variety of factors including the level of aggregated premiums, client
retention, revenue growth, overall profitability, or other performance measures pre-established by
insurance companies. This incentive or contingent compensation is not tied to any individual transaction.
Wealth Advisors licensed as insurance agents receive referral fees when they refer clients to internal
insurance teams, subject to applicable law. Compensation to licensed Wealth Advisors will vary based on
the insurance or annuity product type selected. As compared to managed investment strategies available
through the Adviser or its affiliates, the amount of compensation to Wealth Advisors is more or less
depending on many factors including the strategy selected and the length of time assets remain under
management. Moreover, the timing of compensation to Wealth Advisors differs as between investment
products and annuities. Such compensation creates a conflict of interest that gives the Adviser and such
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Wealth Advisors an incentive to recommend insurance policies and annuities based on the compensation
received.
Where the Adviser refers clients to affiliates, including GS&Co., GSAM and ASA in connection with certain
services, it receives referral fees subject to applicable law and compensates its eligible Wealth Advisors
who make such referrals.
Wealth Advisors who participate in compensation plans are compensated based on revenues generated
by Financial Planning and client accounts, including advisory fees, commissions and other revenues related
to the purchase and sale of securities, insurance and banking products, and fees associated with other
products as applicable. Such compensation creates an incentive for Wealth Advisors to recommend certain
investments or pricing models based on the compensation received. Fees are higher for some investments
and services, and the compensation directly or indirectly paid to Wealth Advisors is greater in certain cases.
Certain Wealth Advisors are eligible for additional compensation based upon revenue generated by client
accounts and growth in client assets. No matter which compensation plan applies at a given time, Wealth
Advisors’ compensation varies according to the level of fees they charge (including whether Advisory
Accounts are set up as wrap fee or non-wrap fee accounts), and they are motivated to charge higher fees
and other charges in order to earn greater compensation.
Certain eligible Wealth Advisors who retire from the Adviser may also continue to collect a percentage of
revenue generated from client accounts or other fees for a period of time after retiring from the firm in
accordance with the Adviser’s internal policies, the terms of the applicable agreement between the Adviser
and the Wealth Advisor, and applicable law.
ITEM 6 – PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
Performance-Based Fees
The Adviser does not charge performance-based fees. Client investments in certain Alternative
Investments offered by Goldman Sachs, such as private funds, are subject to performance fees assessed
by those investment managers. Portfolio management teams that manage Advisory Accounts utilizing
Alternative Investment strategies determine fund allocations and therefore may have an incentive to provide
higher allocations to funds that pay performance fees to Goldman Sachs.
Side-by-Side Management of Advisory Accounts; Allocation of Opportunities
The Adviser manages or advises multiple Advisory Accounts (including Advisory Accounts in which
Goldman Sachs and personnel of Goldman Sachs have an interest) that have investment objectives that
are the same or similar and that seek to make or sell investments in the same securities or other
instruments, sectors or strategies. This creates conflicts of interest, particularly in circumstances where the
availability or liquidity of investment opportunities is limited, including, without limitation, in local and
emerging markets and high yield securities. To address these conflicts of interest, the Adviser has
developed policies and procedures that provide that the Advisory Personnel making portfolio decisions for
Advisory Accounts will make investment decisions for, and implement investments among, Advisory
Accounts consistent with the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations. See Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or
Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading – Participation or Interest in Client Transactions –
Allocation of Investment Opportunities.
Ayco PMG Portfolio Implementation
Ayco PMG generally relies on strategic and tactical asset allocation model recommendations prepared by
ISG for the Ayco PMG Centrally Managed Strategies. The Adviser generally relies on electronic systems
and third-party platforms, including those of its affiliate, GS&Co., to provide execution services for the
strategies and in general will attempt to provide implementation instructions or updates at about the same
time. However, trades on behalf of Advisory Accounts that commence trading after the others may be
subject to price movements caused by the earlier trades, particularly with orders that are large in relation
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to the security’s trading volume. As a result, Advisory Accounts, depending on the execution platform (which
is typically aligned with custodian and fee model selected by the client) may receive prices that are less
favorable than the prices obtained for other Advisory Accounts. This could occur, for example, because of
the dissemination of updates through different systems or parties or at different times as described below,
or for other reasons that cause orders to be placed at different times, including due to the use of different
execution platforms, which use different execution methods. See also Item 12 – Brokerage Practices –
Aggregation of Orders, for information regarding the allocation of securities relating to orders that are
executed on an aggregated basis and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices – Broker-Dealer Selection and
Directed Brokerage. The Adviser may (but need not) delay communicating information regarding strategies
or any updates thereto through certain platforms until after other Advisory Accounts have commenced
trading. In addition, there may be circumstances outside of the Adviser’s control that result in timing
differences in the receipt of information regarding, or updates to the strategies with respect to certain
execution platforms. The Adviser has the ability to implement at any time a policy to rotate which Advisory
Accounts, depending on execution platform, receive information regarding any updates to the strategies.
When the Adviser provides updates to strategies through a third-party service provider, such third parties
may have their own policies and practices for effecting trades, which may be similar to, or different from,
the Adviser’s practices and applicable policies and it should be expected that such trades will be made
subsequent to trades that are effected through the GS&Co. Notwithstanding any applicable trade policies,
there can be no assurance that a particular Advisory Account will not be disadvantaged relative to other
Advisory Accounts during a particular period of time or over the life of the particular Advisory Account,
particularly when one Advisory Account receives trade executions through a third party. Additionally, on a
limited basis Ayco PMG manages legacy strategies based on models provided by third parties.
ITEM 7 – TYPES OF CLIENTS
Clients primarily include high-net-worth individuals. On a more limited basis, clients include privately held
corporations, partnerships or limited liability companies, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and other
institutional investors.
Financial Planning
Financial Planning is typically provided to individuals who enter into Financial Planning agreements directly
with the Adviser or receive Financial Planning through programs sponsored by Corporate Partners or
through such other arrangements as approved in writing by the Adviser. On a limited basis, the Adviser
provides Financial Planning directly to trusts pursuant to agreements entered into directly by the trust.
Investment Management
The Adviser generally provides Investment Management to high-net-worth individuals, who invest directly,
as individuals, or through private investment vehicles, such as privately held corporations, partnerships or
limited liability companies; profit sharing plans; trusts; estates; endowments; public charities; private
foundations; and charitable organizations. The Adviser provides Investment Management services to
institutional clients and charitable organizations, including the GS DAF, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Account Requirements for Advisory Accounts
To open or maintain an Advisory Account, clients are required to sign an Investment Management
Agreement that, among other things, describes the nature of the Investment Management authority granted
to the Adviser. The agreements may be different depending on a number of factors including the products
and services for which the client may be contracting and the Adviser and/or custodian that the client selects.
Clients select an investment objective for all accounts held in the same name to identify their investment
goals and risk tolerance for the account holder’s portfolio on the platform of the custodian selected by the
client.
Generally, the Adviser has no account minimums when it has been engaged for discretionary account
management. However, certain investment strategies available to clients have required minimums for
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invested assets and are subject to minimum annual fees as detailed in the Appendices. In addition,
Adviser’s Personal Wealth offering generally requires clients to have assets under management with the
Adviser of at least $1,000,000 to receive Investment Management services. In certain cases, the Adviser
may waive or lower account minimums in its sole discretion.
Various investment advisers, including Managers, to whom the Adviser refers clients also impose various
minimum dollar values of assets as a condition for opening or maintaining accounts that may be negotiated
in the discretion of the Managers.
Account minimums are reviewed periodically and are subject to change. Upon giving notice to the Adviser,
or by contacting their account custodian directly, clients may make additions to or withdrawals from their
Advisory Accounts. If at any time the client’s account is less than the account minimum and/or household
size designated, the Investment Management agreement is subject to termination by the Adviser after
formal written notice is provided to the client. It should be expected that asset withdrawals impede the
achievement of a client’s investment objectives or goals. Account minimums are imposed for various
reasons including, but not limited to, the diminishing impact on the smaller allocations within a broadly
diversified portfolio, the impact of transaction costs on a smaller portfolio’s performance, the impact of a
smaller portfolio’s transaction costs on the total expense to manage the portfolio, and limitations on
securities that are available for purchase for smaller dollar amounts.
When a Financial Planning client or a Related Party elects to also receive Investment Management services
through the Adviser, Wealth Advisors are responsible for analyzing the financial needs of each particular
client and determining the suitability of the Investment Management services. Under delegated authority
from an affiliate, the Adviser manages accounts of its affiliates’ clients and will receive all or a portion of the
fee or other compensation the client pays such affiliate for such services, or the client may pay the Adviser
directly. In such cases, the client will have entered into an agreement with an affiliate and not the Adviser,
but the Adviser has responsibility for analyzing the financial needs, and determining that the Investment
Management services are suitable, for that client.
Generally, Investment Management or Financial Planning services provided by the Adviser are limited to
clients that are United States citizens or residents, or otherwise subject to United States tax laws. The
Adviser’s services may be limited for, or altogether unavailable to, clients, individuals, or entities that are
not United States citizens or that reside outside the United States.
ITEM 8 – METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
Significant Investment Strategies, Methods of Analysis and Material Risks
Advisory Accounts managed by Wealth Advisors invest in multiple asset classes. Different Wealth Advisors
may use different tools, analyses and other inputs to advise Financial Planning clients or manage Advisory
Accounts, which will result in different allocations. Wealth Advisors generally recommend or select strategic
and tactical asset allocation models or securities recommendations prepared by ISG. These strategic or
tactical models are generally implemented through Affiliated Products and External Products, including
funds and separate accounts. When managing Advisory Accounts, Wealth Advisors use research or
research lists (“Research”) published by Goldman Sachs and a variety of other investment analysis tools.
However, there is no guarantee that the actual performance of any Advisory Account will, in fact, track
these recommendations. In the event the models or Research cease to be published at any time, an
Advisory Account will need to be managed differently. Certain investment selections that are generally
available when GS&Co. is custodian may not be available to all clients.
The Adviser has access to Research and a variety of other investment analysis and tools. Certain of these
tools and analyses may be made available to the Adviser by its affiliates. Wealth Advisors may recommend
or purchase mutual funds and ETFs for which the Adviser’s affiliates act as investment adviser, as well as
certain unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs reviewed and approved by XIG.
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Wealth Advisors responsible for managing multiple Advisory Accounts make independent investment
decisions for each Advisory Account based on, among other things, different client characteristics, including
investment objectives, risk tolerance, investment time horizon and financial circumstances. As a result, the
management of, or recommendation to, Advisory Accounts or Financial Planning clients with similar
investment strategies with the same Wealth Advisor will in some cases differ based on different
methodologies, asset allocation implementation, and client investment goals. The frequency and timing of
transactions in Advisory Accounts vary significantly, and certain investment strategies, such as index
strategies, trade infrequently. Other strategies are tactical and adjust depending on micro- and macro-
economic indicators. When there is trading activity in multiple Advisory Accounts, there is a potential that
a wash sale or tax straddle is generated, which could result in negative tax consequences, including
negating the taxable advantage of realizing investment losses from sale of securities. Other strategies
attempt to improve the taxable consequence of the assets invested, using tax loss harvesting and other tax
advantaged strategies. When deploying tax loss harvesting and other tax advantaged strategies, the
Adviser does not guarantee the ability to reduce the taxable consequence from managing assets. Such tax
loss harvesting trades are subject to the Adviser’s policies regarding minimum size of trade, timing and
format of the request. As part of this policy the Adviser will limit, depending on strategy, the maximum
percentage of an account’s total market value permitted to be traded for tax loss realization. Generally, if
the policies are satisfied, then tax loss harvesting trades are processed on a best efforts basis. Tax loss
harvesting trades will generally receive a lower priority than cash flow trades, trades to fund new accounts,
trades to liquidate securities in connection with account terminations and block trades. As such, it should
be expected that there may be a significant delay between a tax loss harvesting request and its execution,
and requests received relatively later in the tax year will not be executed before year end. In addition,
because the Adviser is only responsible for the particular assets in its managed portfolio, there is no
guarantee that the tax loss harvesting trades will not result in ultimate tax losses for the client because the
client will need to look across its entire portfolio to determine any tax losses or liabilities. Further, attempts
to reduce the taxable consequence of a portfolio may cause a disparity in the performance of the Advisory
Account where, for example, certain assets are not sold when they might have been sold if taxes were not
considered. Goldman Sachs will generally not consider information regarding positions held or transactions
executed outside of Advisory Accounts. Clients are urged to work with their Wealth Advisors to help choose
the investment strategy that best meets their goals and objectives. Selection of a portfolio that is not directly
aligned with the risk tolerance associated with a client’s information can have implications for performance
and realizing the client’s financial objectives.
Asset Allocation Models
In formulating asset allocation advice, Wealth Advisors rely on strategic and tactical asset allocation models
prepared by third parties or by the Adviser’s affiliates, including models prepared by ISG. However, there
is no guarantee that any client’s portfolio will, in fact, track these models. Depending on individual clients’
circumstances or instructions, portfolios may be subject to concentration risk; that is the increased risk of
loss associated with not having a diversified portfolio (i.e., investments concentrated in a geographic region,
industry sector or issuer are more likely to experience greater loss due to an adverse economic, business
or political development affecting the region, sector or issuer than an account that is diversified and
therefore has less overall exposure to a particular region, sector or issuer).
Ayco PMG
Ayco PMG manages strategies investing in particular asset classes and investments, including, but not
limited to, equities, mutual funds, fixed income, and ETFs. Depending on the strategy selected, there may
be embedded leverage in the options, futures and other securities. See Item 4 – Advisory Business –
Investment Management Services – Other Information Related to the Adviser’s Investment Management
Services – Advisory Services Provided by Ayco PMG for more information. Ayco PMG uses a variety of
analyses and risk management tools to monitor changing conditions, liquidity and volatility in the market.
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Investment Strategies Offered by GS&Co.
Structured Investment Strategies
GS&Co. offers structured investment strategies managed by a dedicated portfolio management team.
These strategies consist primarily of structured instruments, such as structured notes and warrants, which
are issued by unaffiliated, third-party issuers and offered and sold pursuant to a registration statement filed
with the SEC or in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The primary objective of these strategies is to gain underlying exposure to defined securities by building a
portfolio of structured investments with varying terms and diversified credit exposures. The portfolio
management team invests in structured investments issued by third-party issuers available to GS&Co. at
the time, and may also invest directly in the referenced asset(s) or underlying exposure (i.e., the index or
ETF) for a period of time in an effort to maintain the exposure intended by the strategies. The portfolio
management team selects investments issued by a particular third-party issuer for a variety of reasons,
including to provide diversified credit exposures, due to capacity constraint reasons or in an effort to
facilitate client requests, but may, at times, be limited in its ability to do so. The terms and risks of each
structured investment vary materially depending on the credit-worthiness of the issuer, the nature of the
referenced asset and the maturity of the instrument, among other factors.
Goldman Sachs Option Advisory Services (“GOAS”) Strategies
GS&Co. offers a number of actively managed option strategies involving listed and/or over-the-counter
(“OTC”) call and/or put options, including collars and put spread collars managed by a dedicated portfolio
management team. These managed option strategies generally involve selling and buying options. Certain
strategies involve the buying and selling of equity securities (including shares or ETFs), including equity
securities underlying the options in connection with exercises and assignments of options contracts or for
other purposes provided by the strategy. Such equity securities are selected based on a model portfolio of
securities determined by GSAM or another affiliate of GS&Co. acting in its capacity as a co-investment
adviser. The securities in GOAS accounts may be different from, or have a different weighting than, those
included in the model portfolio provided by GSAM or another affiliate of GS&Co. Certain strategies involve
management of equity positions without options for a period of time or on an ongoing basis. Depending on
the client's objectives and parameters and the GOAS strategy selected, the strategy may be designed to
generate yield through upfront premiums received from the sale of the options (which may cap upside when
selling calls or may introduce downside risk when selling puts) or may be designed to reduce the volatility
of the underlier of such options. The GOAS team uses a variety of analyses and risk management tools to
monitor changing conditions, liquidity and volatility in the options market.
Thematic Marketplace Strategies
GS&Co. offers separately managed accounts comprised of equity securities, including ADRs, that based
on fundamental research and proprietary views of GSAM or another affiliate of GS&Co. are believed to be
aligned with a given theme (the “Thematic Portfolio”). A dedicated portfolio management team selects
investments based on the Thematic Portfolio of securities determined by GSAM or another affiliate of
GS&Co. acting in their capacity as a co-investment adviser. The securities in a client’s separately managed
account may be different from, or have a different weighting than, those included in the Thematic Portfolio
provided by GSAM or another affiliate of GS&Co.
Alternative Portfolio Services (APS)
GS&Co. offers separately managed accounts comprised of Alternative Investments such as private equity,
private credit, private real estate, private infrastructure and other private market funds. Selecting from
approved funds, a dedicated portfolio management team constructs a sub-asset allocation in the Advisory
Account based on the client’s sub-asset class targets and the recommended portfolio allocations
determined by ISG. The Alternative Investments made available to clients are provided directly by Affiliated
Managers, Unaffiliated Managers, or third-party Alternative Investment platform providers. Alternative
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Investments offered through third-party Alternative Investments platform providers may be more expensive
than Alternative Investments offered directly or through GS&Co. or GSAM to clients.
Private Placement Insurance
GS&Co. offers separately managed accounts to unaffiliated insurance companies as part of its Private
Placement Insurance (“PPI”) offering that are based on asset allocations constructed by ISG. While the
target ISG model portfolio is selected by the policy owner, the underlying investments in the portfolio are
managed on a discretionary basis exclusively by Portfolio Management Team without the policy owner’s
input. GS&Co. does not issue the underlying insurance policy and any risks associated with the insurance
policy should be discussed directly with the insurance company.
For more information about investment strategies offered by GS&Co. including applicable risks, please see
the applicable account opening documentation and other materials and the GS&Co Form ADV, Part 2A for
Private Wealth Management (a copy of which is also available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov and delivered
to applicable clients).
Research Lists – Mutual Funds and ETFs
When providing Investment Management, Wealth Advisors have access to research, research lists or a
variety of other investment analysis tools made available by the Adviser’s affiliates, including GS&Co. and
GSAM. Wealth Advisors may recommend mutual funds and ETFs for which the Adviser’s affiliates act as
an investment adviser, as well as certain unaffiliated ETFs reviewed and approved by XIG. Manager
selection and ongoing due diligence of certain unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs that are recommended
by Wealth Advisors are performed by XIG. Such due diligence generally includes, but is not limited to, on-
site meetings, analytics related to historical performance, reference calls and risk reviews.
Retirement Accounts and Financial Planning
As explained above in Item 4 – Advisory Business – Investment Management Services, the Adviser’s
Financial Planning only provides general information and education and does not provide investment
advice or recommendations to Retirement Accounts or otherwise act as a fiduciary under the Retirement
Regulations. As part of its Financial Planning, the Adviser does not provide investment advice or make
investment recommendations for Retirement Accounts, including whether to invest in investment
companies for which affiliated persons of the Adviser serve as adviser, sub-adviser, and/or distributor and
receive fees for the services provided. Any investment decisions will be the sole responsibility of the clients
and no information provided by the Adviser should be considered in making any such investment decisions,
unless the Adviser otherwise agrees in writing. If a client is presented with allocation materials in which
Goldman Sachs only has one vehicle available and that vehicle is identified, clients should understand that
other investments may also be appropriate for that client and available through Goldman Sachs or other
financial institutions. There are a number of factors, including cost and tax efficiency, clients should consider
in determining how to invest Retirement Account assets.
With respect to Retirement Accounts, Wealth Advisors provide recommendations or investment advice or
exercise discretion, as part of investment advisory or Investment Management services only where the
Adviser agrees in writing to do so with respect to the particular account.
If a client maintains both Retirement Accounts and other accounts (that are not Retirement Accounts) any
advice or recommendations made by the Adviser for an account that is not a Retirement Account does not
apply to and should not be used by the client for any decision with respect to a Retirement Account, which
often present different considerations.
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Single Stock and Bond Positions
As part of its Financial Planning, the Adviser may provide recommendations to clients concerning
participation in corporate benefit plans and changes in investment elections under their corporate benefit
plans, however, Wealth Advisors generally do not make single stock or bond recommendations with respect
to positions held within such corporate benefit plans. With respect to a client’s single stock or bond
positions, investment services provided by Wealth Advisors are generally limited to addressing asset
allocation issues, and do not include any other investment advice related thereto.
Variable Subaccounts
In reviewing Variable Products that it makes available to clients, Mercer Allied generally reviews issuing
insurance companies’ credit rating, competitiveness of product, client service resources and carriers’
general processes for manager selection of Variable Subaccounts.
In general, any assessment as to whether a particular Variable Subaccount fits within a client’s investment
objectives and must be determined solely by the client and the Adviser generally does not have discretion
to allocate premiums on behalf of clients. See Item 4 – Advisory Business – Other Offerings – Fixed and
Variable Insurance and Annuities. Inclusion of any Variable Subaccounts in any model portfolio(s) is based
on the information provided by the issuing carrier and/or third-party database providers and the Adviser
has not verified the accuracy or completeness of any information provided by or about the Variable
Subaccount. Performance of any Variable Product will be impacted by the performance of the Variable
Subaccounts selected by the client. Past performance of Variable Subaccounts may not be indicative of
future results. Variable Products have inherent risks, will fluctuate in value, incur losses based on the
performance of selected financial indices or sub-accounts, are suitable only as long-term investments, and
should not be viewed as short-term trading vehicles. Clients should carefully review the prospectus and
other offering documents for more information on variable annuities.
Clients should understand that all investment strategies and the investments made pursuant to such
strategies involve risk of loss, including the potential loss of the entire investment, which clients should be
prepared to bear and, in the case of uncovered option strategies, beyond the amount invested. The
investment performance and the success of any investment strategy or particular investment can never be
predicted or guaranteed, and the value of a client’s investments will fluctuate due to market conditions and
other factors. The investment decisions and recommendations made and the actions taken for clients’
accounts are subject to various market, liquidity, currency, economic, political, and other risks, and
investments could lose value. It should be expected that the types of risks to which a client’s account is
subject, and the degree to which any particular risks impact an account, will change over time depending
on various factors, including the investment strategies, investment techniques and asset classes utilized
by the account, the timing of the account’s investments, prevailing market and economic conditions,
reputational considerations, and the occurrence of adverse social, political, regulatory or other
developments. Past performance of accounts is not indicative of future performance.
General Risks Applicable to Advisory Accounts
This Brochure does not include every potential risk associated with an investment strategy, or all of the
risks applicable to a particular Advisory Account. Rather, it is a general description of the nature and risks
of the strategies and securities and other financial instruments in which Advisory Accounts may invest.
Advisory Account clients that invest assets with Managers should also refer to the Form ADV of such
Managers for a description of the risks associated with the strategies utilized by such Managers.
In addition to the foregoing risks, the following risks should be considered before deciding on any
investment or investment strategy for an Advisory Account.
(cid:120) Additional Risks Related to Portfolio Construction Services – Certain strategies are composed of a
selection of mutual funds and have a primary objective of capital growth in a low volatility (relative
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to equities) and diversified manner when compared to core equity and bond markets. These
strategies may invest in alternative mutual funds that use investment strategies that differ from
more traditional investment and trading strategies typical in the mutual fund industry. Compared to
a traditional mutual fund, an alternative mutual fund may hold more non-traditional investments and
employ more complex trading strategies. Examples include hedging and leveraging through
derivatives, short selling and “opportunistic” strategies that change with market conditions as
various opportunities present themselves. It should be expected that the Adviser will utilize these
strategies in Advisory Accounts and that the timing of transactions entered into or recommended
based on models or other strategies, including for Advisory Accounts, may negatively impact
Advisory Accounts or benefit certain other Accounts, including other Advisory Accounts or accounts
at our affiliates. For example, Ayco PMG may implement an investment decision or strategy for
certain Advisory Accounts ahead of, contemporaneously with, or behind the implementation of
similar investment decisions or strategies for other Advisory Accounts, (whether or not the
investment decisions emanate from the same analysis or other information) that could result, due
to market impact, in liquidity constraints or other factors, in certain Advisory Accounts receiving less
favorable investment or trading results or incurring increased costs.
(cid:120) Administrative Risk – Failure to comply with specific rules for administering GRATs, as well as
dependency on each client’s legal representations, could have adverse tax and legal
consequences to participants in the strategy.
(cid:120) Adverse Effect of Global Economic Conditions – Advisory Accounts, underlying funds, and their
portfolio companies could be adversely affected by unanticipated changes in the financial markets
and economic conditions throughout the world, some of which could magnify the risks described in
this Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss and have other adverse
effects. The scope of any potential impacts to Advisory Accounts, underlying funds, and their
portfolio companies, both from market conditions and also potential legislative or regulatory
responses, are uncertain. Continued market volatility and uncertainty and/or a downturn in market
and economic and financial conditions could have an adverse impact on Advisory Accounts,
underlying funds, and their portfolio companies.
(cid:120) Advisory Account Consent Requirements – Advisory Account consent could be required to invest
in certain transactions in which Goldman Sachs receives compensation or is a principal, and the
Adviser could determine not to seek such consent due to timing or other considerations, in which
case the Advisory Account will not have the opportunity to make the investment.
(cid:120) Allocation of Advisory Account Assets to Underlying Funds and Managers – The risks associated
with certain types of securities and investment strategies described herein apply with respect to
investments in underlying funds and with Managers. Additional information about risks associated
with the activities of underlying funds and Managers is available herein, as well as in the
prospectuses, offering memoranda and constituent documents of the underlying funds.
(cid:120) Alternative Investment Risk - Clients could lose all or a substantial amount of their investment as a
result of the volatility of Alternative Investments or other factors. Alternative Investments (1) involve
a high degree of risk, (2) often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices
that increase the risk of investment loss, (3) can be highly illiquid with extended lock-up periods
where assets may not be sold, (4) may lack a secondary market to purchase shares that investors
care to redeem, (5) are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors,
(6) sometimes involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing important tax information,
(7) are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as publicly traded securities, (8) often
charge high fees which offset any trading profits, and (9) in many cases execute investments which
are not transparent and are known only to the investment manager Often, Alternative Investment
managers have total trading authority over their funds or accounts. The use of a single Manager
applying generally similar trading programs could mean lack of diversification and, consequently,
higher risk. Additionally, investment vehicles designed to invest in a single asset pose heightened
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risk, as they lack diversification. Alternative Investments lack a readily ascertainable market value
and a valuation may be stale by the time it is delivered to clients. There is often no secondary
market for an investor’s interest in Alternative Investments, including hedge funds and managed
futures, and none is expected to develop. Even when there is a secondary market, it is often a
small group of investors willing to purchase the Alternative Investment, typically resulting in a
discount on the sale of the asset versus the actual value of the underlying assets. There may be
restrictions on transferring interests in any Alternative Investment. Alternative Investments may
execute some portion of their trades on non-U.S. exchanges. Investing in foreign markets generally
entails risks that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. markets.
(cid:120) Antitrust Risk – Advisory Accounts and their portfolio companies will be subject to antitrust and
competition laws, rules and regulations in the U.S. and other jurisdictions where they conduct
business, and there has been increased scrutiny from antitrust regulators around the world. If an
Advisory Account investment becomes subject to antitrust review and approval, the relevant
authorities could elect not to approve such investment, significantly delay it or approve it subject to
particular terms and conditions (for example, that the underlying portfolio company divest of certain
assets). Advisory Accounts and their portfolio companies could incur significant costs pursuing
transactions in respect of which regulatory approvals are not granted and, as a result, are not able
to be consummated.
(cid:120) Asset Allocation and Rebalancing Risk – An Advisory Account’s assets could become out of
balance with the target allocation. Any rebalancing of such assets may be infrequent and limited
by several factors. Even if a rebalancing is achieved, it may have an adverse effect on the
performance of the Advisory Account’s assets including, for example, if the rebalancing results in
such assets being allocated away from an over-performing investment product and allocated to an
under-performing investment product.
(cid:120) Bankruptcy Risk – A company in which an Advisory Account invests could become involved in a
bankruptcy or other reorganization or liquidation proceeding.
(cid:120) Call Options Risk – An investment in call options is subject to a risk of losses equal to or greater
than the premium paid/received in a relatively short period of time. The seller (writer) of a call option
assumes the risk of the appreciation of the security underlying the option, which will negatively
impact the performance of the call option selling strategy. If the price of the underlying security
appreciates above the option strike price, the seller of the call option will suffer losses on the call
option. For a covered call option (i.e., the writer holds the underlying security), that loss will offset
any appreciation on the underlying security above the strike price. The seller (writer) of a covered
call option also assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below
the purchase price of the underlying security less the premium received. The seller (writer) of an
uncovered call option assumes the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of
the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The seller (writer) of a call option
may close out an existing option position before its expiration date by paying the cost to close out
the position, which may be higher than the original premium received if the price of the underlying
security has appreciated. The seller may also choose to roll the existing option position by closing
out the position and replacing it with a new option. The options seller will need to pay the cost to
close out the existing position, and the premium received from the sale of the new option may be
less than the amount paid to close out the original position if the price of the underlying security
has appreciated. The options seller will bear the full amount of any cost to close out an existing
position. Sales of shares underlying options positions to meet settlement obligations to close out
an options position, to fund a roll of an options position, or otherwise may result in tax
consequences, including the realization of tax gains or losses.
(cid:120) Capital Markets Risk – An Advisory Account might not receive distributions from an investment or
could experience a significant loss in the value of its investment if the relevant issuer cannot obtain
funding in the capital markets.
45
(cid:120) Cash Management Risks – If the Adviser invests some of an Advisory Account’s assets temporarily
in money market funds or other similar types of investments, those assets will not be invested in
assets that further the Advisory Account’s investment objective during such time. Separately, where
the Adviser, on behalf of a client, invests an Advisory Account’s assets temporarily, or for some
designated period of time, in investments subject to Market Risk, including managed strategies,
with the intent of liquidating such investments to meet certain subsequent funding needs, such as
a capital calls required by alternative investments, an Advisory Account could be unable to meet
such funding needs.
(cid:120) Cash Sweep Risk – Unless a client notifies us otherwise, GS&Co. is authorized to sweep free credit
balances into one or more money market funds through GS&Co. or bank deposit accounts (“Bank
Deposit Cash Sweep”) with its affiliate, Goldman Sachs Bank USA (“GS Bank”). Clients should
discuss with their Wealth Advisor team which cash sweep option is appropriate for them based on
factors such as their investment objectives, financial circumstances, tax status and desire for
related payment services. Unless the client selects a different cash sweep option, the Bank Deposit
Cash Sweep will generally be the default sweep option regardless of any difference in actual or
expected returns in connection with other sweep options. GS&Co. may make changes to the cash
sweep options it offers to clients, including removing a previously offered cash sweep option, at
any time, in its sole discretion and any cash would be held in free credit balances or moved to
another available option. A client may request a different cash sweep option by informing their
Wealth Advisor team. The cash sweep service is a feature of clients’ custodial and brokerage
relationship with GS&Co. In offering the cash sweep service, designating a default cash sweep
option or selecting a cash sweep option, neither GS&Co. nor the Adviser is recommending any
securities transaction or investment strategy or acting as an investment adviser. Cash sweep
options may be limited depending on the client’s residence or the advisory strategies in which the
account is invested. Returns on cash sweep options are impacted by a variety of factors, including
applicable interest rates and the nature of the account. For example, interest rates on Bank Deposit
Cash Sweep could yield lower returns than cash swept to money market funds, and after-tax yields
on cash subject to a Bank Deposit Cash Sweep could yield lower results than cash swept to money
market funds. The Bank Deposit Cash Sweep provides benefits to GS&Co. and GS Bank. GS Bank
may pay GS&Co. a fee in connection with Advisory Accounts that use the Bank Deposit Cash
Sweep. The Adviser and Wealth Advisors earn higher compensation in connection with Bank
Deposit Cash Sweep than from cash swept to money market funds. Different money market funds
have different fees and expenses, which may be found in the applicable fund prospectuses. Client
should ask their Wealth Advisor team which money market funds are available as cash sweep
options. Interest rates applied to Bank Deposit Cash Sweep offered through GS Bank are variable
and subject to change at the sole discretion of GS Bank. Rates may be higher or lower than rates
available at other banks and may vary based on the amount of a client’s deposit balances or
relationship with GS&Co. Clients can obtain information about interest rates by going to
www.goldman.com, or by asking their Wealth Advisor team. The cash sweep service is intended
as a vehicle for free credit balances pending investment, but can be expected to provide a lower
return than other investment products offered by GS&Co. The cash sweep options should not be
viewed as long-term investment options. If clients desire to maintain cash balances for other than
a short-term period or are seeking higher yields available in the market, clients should contact their
Wealth Advisor team to discuss investment options that may be available outside of the cash sweep
service. If a client does not wish to participate in the cash sweep service, their cash will be held as
free credit balances in their GS&Co. brokerage account in accordance with GS&Co.’s customary
practice. Free credit balances will generally earn less interest than money market funds or Bank
Deposit Cash Sweep.
(cid:120) Certain Tax Risks – Adverse tax consequences could arise if the collective positions within a client’s
overall portfolio maintaining a GOAS call writing strategy are recognized as a straddle for tax
purposes. Furthermore, changes in tax laws or regulations could affect the potential benefits of
transferring wealth via GRATs, and changes in tax and insurance laws could negatively affect the
potential benefits associated with PPI.
46
(cid:120) Climate Change – Climate change, its physical impacts, and related regulations could result in
significantly increased operating and capital costs that could materially harm certain portfolio
companies of Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Commodity Exposure Risks – Exposure to the commodities markets may result in greater volatility
than investments in traditional securities due to changes in overall market movements, commodity
index volatility, changes in interest rates, factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, as
well as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies.
(cid:120) Concentration and Geographic Risk – A portfolio that concentrates its investments in a relatively
small number of issuers, asset classes, geographic locations or economic sectors may be more
adversely affected by adverse economic, political or other developments than a less concentrated
portfolio.
(cid:120) Concentration Risk – Thematic Portfolios are more concentrated than broad-based equity
exposure. Thematic Portfolios concentrated in a theme, sector, industry or single issuer are more
likely to experience greater loss due to an adverse economic, business or political development
affecting the theme, sector, industry or issuer than a direct equity portfolio that is more diversified.
(cid:120) Conflicts of Interest – Goldman Sachs’ activities, relationships and dealings could affect a particular
Advisory Account in ways that disadvantage or restrict the Advisory Account and/or benefit
Goldman Sachs or other Accounts.
(cid:120) Conflicts Related to the Use of Tactical Tilts – Where Advisory Personnel use tactical investment
ideas derived from short-term market views (“Tactical Tilts”) for Advisory Accounts material risks
exist. For example, the timing for implementing a Tactical Tilt or unwinding a position can materially
affect the performance of such Tactical Tilt. For various reasons, the Adviser and its affiliates may
implement a Tactical Tilt, invest in an affiliated fund that invests in Tactical Tilts, or unwind a position
for its client Accounts or on its own behalf before Advisory Personnel do on behalf of Advisory
Accounts, or implement a Tactical Tilt that is different from the Tactical Tilt implemented by Advisory
Personnel on behalf of Advisory Accounts, which could have an adverse effect on Advisory
Accounts and result in poorer performance by Advisory Accounts than by the Adviser or other client
Accounts. In addition, unless otherwise agreed in writing, Advisory Personnel monitor an Advisory
Account’s Tactical Tilt positions only on a periodic basis. Therefore, changes in market conditions
and other factors may result in substantial losses to an Advisory Account, and no assurance can
be given that a Tactical Tilt position will be unwound before the Advisory Account suffers losses.
The use of Tactical Tilts also includes the risk of reliance on models.
(cid:120) Conflicts Related to the Use of Target Ranges and Rebalancing – To the extent a client designates
target allocations or target ranges within an Advisory Account in connection with a particular asset
class or strategy, allocations of an Advisory Account’s assets may, from time to time, be out of
balance with the Advisory Account’s target ranges for extended periods of time or at all times due
to various factors, such as fluctuations in, and variations among, the performance of the investment
products to which the assets are allocated, reliance on estimates in connection with the
determination of percentage allocations and limitations on liquidity of investments. Any rebalancing
by Advisory Personnel of the Advisory Account’s assets may have an adverse effect on the
performance of the Advisory Account’s assets. For example, an Advisory Account will generally
incur transaction costs, and could be subject to investment losses, if the Advisory Account’s assets
are allocated away from an over-performing investment product and allocated to an under-
performing investment product in connection with a rebalancing. In addition, in some cases
Advisory Personnel’s ability to fully rebalance as intended is limited by several factors, including
the use of estimates of the NAVs of the investment products, and, in the case of investments in
pooled investment vehicles, restrictions on additional investments in and redemptions from such
investment products. Similarly, the use of target ranges in respect of asset classes may result in
an Advisory Account containing a significantly greater percentage of Affiliated Products than would
47
otherwise be the case, including during periods in which Affiliated Products underperform External
Products. In such circumstances, there could be one or more External Products that would be a
more appropriate addition to an Advisory Account than the Affiliated Products then in the Advisory
Account. Such External Products may outperform the Affiliated Products then in the Advisory
Account. For information regarding conflicts of interest in connection with Affiliated Products and
External Products, See Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading – Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Affiliated Products /
External Products.
(cid:120) Consolidated Reporting Risk – Information (including valuation) regarding advisory accounts not
custodied at GS&Co. may not be accurate as GS&Co. does not perform diligence on or
independently verify the accuracy of the custodian’s information or the source information; such
information is provided as a courtesy. This risk is greater when there is more volatility in an asset
class.
(cid:120) Conversion of Equity Investments – Equity securities acquired through the conversion of
convertible debt instruments or as a result of a restructuring event may be subject to restrictions
on transfer or disposition.
(cid:120) Corporate Event Risks – It is possible that investments in companies that are the subject of publicly
disclosed mergers, takeover bids, exchange offers, tender offers, spin-offs, liquidations, corporate
restructuring, and other similar transactions are not profitable due to the risk of transaction failure.
(cid:120) Correlation Risk – With regard to options, the underlying equity portfolio may not correlate to or
track closely with the selected benchmark (which may be an index, ETF or basket) on which the
options positions are based, and as a result, the option strategy performance may vary substantially
from the performance of the portfolio for any period of time. For example, when writing call options
on an index, the value of the index may appreciate while the value of the equity portfolio declines
in value. This may result in losses on both the option positions and the equity portfolio. With regard
to structured investments, the performance of the structured investment held in a client’s account
could underperform or differ from the market, or prior to maturity, perform differently than the
payment at maturity formula due to changes in factors influencing the structured investments,
including equity performance and/or changes in credit spreads, implied volatility, interest rates
and/or dividends.
(cid:120) Counterparty Risk – A strategy will be exposed to the credit risk of the counterparties with which,
or the brokers, dealers, clearing members, custodians, service providers, and exchanges through
which, they engage in transactions.
(cid:120) Credit Diversification Risk – The credit diversification of the strategy could be limited due to the lack
of availability of structured investments from one or more issuers at a given time.
(cid:120) Credit Ratings – An Advisory Account could use credit ratings to evaluate securities even though
such credit ratings might not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. A change in the credit
rating of a security can have a rapid, adverse effect on the security’s liquidity and make it more
difficult for an Advisory Account to sell at an advantageous price or time.
(cid:120) Credit/Default Risk – A borrower could fail to repay a loan or otherwise meet a contractual
obligation. A strategy will be exposed to the credit risk of the counterparties with which, or the
brokers, dealers, and exchanges through which, it deals, whether it engages in exchange-traded
or off-exchange transactions.
(cid:120) Currency Risks – An Advisory Account that holds investments denominated in currencies other
than the currency in which the Advisory Account is denominated may be adversely affected by the
volatility of currency exchange rates and changes to exchange control regulations. Currency
48
exchange rates can be volatile, particularly during times of political or economic uncertainty. For
example, to the extent that non-U.S. dollar investments are unhedged, the value of an Advisory
Account’s net assets will fluctuate with U.S. dollar exchange rates and with price changes of its
investments in the various local markets and currencies.
(cid:120) Cybersecurity – Personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a
client, law firm, vendor, service provider, counterparty or other third-party has in the past been, and
may in the future, be intercepted, misused, copied, misappropriated or mishandled, including
through a cyber-attack on such persons or other information security event (including unauthorized
access by a party with malicious intent). Such cyber-attacks or other events can adversely impact
Goldman Sachs, Advisory Accounts and clients by, among other things, causing significant
disruptions in the business operations of Goldman Sachs and the operation of Advisory Accounts,
leading to theft (including identity theft) and data corruption, and leading to potential violations of
applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement
or other compensation costs and/or additional compliance costs.
(cid:120) Data Sources Risks – Information from third-party data sources to which the Adviser subscribes
could be incorrect. While Goldman Sachs obtains data and information from third-party sources
that it considers to be reliable, Goldman Sachs does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy and/or
completeness of any data or information provided by these sources. Failure of a data source, such
as an index provider, to provide the data on which the Adviser relies may have a negative impact
on the performance of an Advisory Account. Further, recent technological innovations have
disrupted numerous established industries. As technological innovation continues to advance
rapidly, it could adversely impact one or more investment strategies employed for Advisory
Accounts. Furthermore, investment decisions made based on views about the direction or degree
of innovation can prove inaccurate and lead to losses for Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Delegation of Receipt of Communications Risk – To the extent that clients confer the Adviser with
authority to exercise investment discretion over their accounts and receive prospectuses and other
shareholder communications on their behalf, there is risk of client complaints or dissatisfaction with
certain investments where clients no longer receive such prospectuses or issuer-related materials
directly, even where such materials can be accessed via the issuer’s website or by request from
the Adviser. Prospectuses and issuer-related materials contain important information and detailed
descriptions of additional fees and expenses, investment minimums, risk factors and conflicts of
interest disclosures, as well as clients’ rights, responsibilities and liabilities with respect to such
investments.
(cid:120) Dependence on Government Funding, Tax Credits and Other Subsidies – The success of certain
ESG investments depends on government funding, tax credits, or other public or private sector
subsidies, which are not guaranteed over the life of the investment.
(cid:120) Dependence on Key Personnel Risk – Clients rely on certain key personnel of Goldman Sachs who
may leave Goldman Sachs or become unable to fulfill certain duties.
(cid:120) Depositary Receipt Risk – Depositary receipts may not reflect the return a GOAS account would
realize if the GOAS account actually owned the relevant securities underlying the depositary
receipts. Should a GOAS account acquire depositary receipts through banks that do not have a
contractual relationship with the issuer of the underlying security to issue and service such
depositary receipts, there may be an increased possibility that the GOAS account would not
become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits or rights offerings
involving the issuer in a timely manner. In addition, certain fees and other expenses may apply to
transactions in depository receipts, including fees associated with foreign currency conversion,
creation fees charged by third parties and foreign tax charges.
49
(cid:120) Electronic Trading – The Adviser trades on electronic trading and order routing systems, which
may experience component failure and issues with system access, varying response times and
security.
(cid:120) Emerging Markets and Growth Markets Risks – Investing in emerging and growth markets entails
social, economic, technological, political and regulatory risks not usually associated with investing
in developed markets. For example, The People’s Republic of China has adopted regulations in
the financial technology sector, and other non-U.S. jurisdictions may adopt similar regulations in
the same or different sectors, which could impact the ability of Advisory Accounts or underlying
funds to make investments in those jurisdictions. Additionally, certain jurisdictions may allow for
clawback arrangements with counterparties as a result of changes in law. Any such arrangements
could result in an Advisory Account being required to return distributions it previously received in
certain circumstances. Emerging and growth markets in certain countries could also face other
significant internal or external risks, including but not limited to a heightened risk of war and other
conflicts.
(cid:120) Environmental Risks and Natural Disasters – Certain Advisory Account investments, including but
not limited to investments in or relating to real estate assets, could become subject to liability under
environmental protection statutes, rules and regulations, and may also be subject to risks
associated with natural disasters.
(cid:120) Environmental, Social Impact, and Governance Considerations – The Adviser may in its discretion
take into account ESG considerations and political, media and reputational considerations relating
thereto, and for example, as a result, the Adviser might not make or recommend the making of
investments when it would otherwise have done so, which could adversely affect the performance
of Advisory Accounts. On the other hand, the Adviser may determine not to take such
considerations into account, and such considerations may prove to have an adverse effect on the
performance of the applicable investments. The Adviser may take ESG and related considerations
into account for some Advisory Accounts and not others, and, to the extent taking such
considerations into account, may make different investment decisions or recommendations for
different Advisory Accounts. The Adviser may rely on third-party service providers in determining,
from an ESG perspective, what investments to exclude from its selection or recommendation based
on such service providers’ categorization of the types of companies, industries, or sectors, as the
case may be, that should potentially be excluded from investment. There can be no assurance that
the list of categories as determined by the Adviser and/or third-party service providers is complete
or that the securities restricted as a result of such categorization represents all of the securities that
might otherwise be restricted in connection therewith, and such categories or the securities
restricted thereunder may change from time to time.
(cid:120) Equity and Equity-Related Securities and Instruments –The value of common stocks of U.S. and
non-U.S. issuers is affected by factors specific to the issuer, the issuer’s industry and the risk that
stock prices historically rise and fall in periodic cycles.
(cid:120) Exchange-Traded Funds Risks – ETFs could fail to accurately track the market segment or index
that underlies their investment objective. Moreover, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do
not apply to conventional funds: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares trade at a premium or a
discount to their net asset value (“NAV”); (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares is not
developed or maintained; and (iii) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange
necessary to maintain the listing of an ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged. These
securities carry certain specific risks to investors. Leveraged ETF shares typically represent interest
in a portfolio of securities that track an underlying benchmark or index and seek to deliver multiples
of the performance of the index or benchmark. An inverse ETF seeks to deliver the opposite of the
performance of the index or benchmark it tracks. Like traditional ETFs, some leveraged and inverse
ETFs track broad indices, some are sector-specific, and others are linked to commodities,
currencies, or some other benchmark. To accomplish their objectives, leveraged and inverse ETFs
50
pursue a range of investment strategies using swaps, futures contracts, and other derivative
instruments. Most leveraged and inverse ETFs “reset” daily, meaning that they are designed to
achieve their stated objectives daily. Their performance over longer periods of time, over weeks or
months or years, can differ significantly from the performance (or inverse of the performance) of
their underlying index or benchmark during the same period. This effect can be magnified in volatile
markets and thus poses substantial risk for an investor.
(cid:120) Exercise Risk – The early exercise of an option, which could result in the underlying stock position
being called away or having to cash settle the option prior to expiration, which may result in tax
consequences, including the realization of tax gains or losses. All options, whether those with
American style or European style exercise features are exposed to the fluctuation in the market
price of the underlier. There is no guarantee that an option will expire or be exercised at the optimal
time, considering the price movements in the underlier during the time the option is held in a
portfolio.
(cid:120) Expedited Transactions – In the event the Adviser undertakes investment analyses and decisions
on an expedited basis to take advantage of investment opportunities, there is a risk that not all
circumstances and risks of the investment are known.
(cid:120) Fixed Income Securities Risk – Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s or a
guarantor’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations and to price volatility.
(cid:120) Force Majeure – Advisory Account investments may be vulnerable to a force majeure event,
including acts of nature, war and strike, which could result in the destruction, impairment or loss of
profitability for the investments.
(cid:120) Foreign-Currency-Denominated Security Risk – Foreign-currency-denominated securities that
settle in a different currency are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates that could have an
adverse effect on the value or price of, or income derived from, the investment. Securities such as
ADRs/GDRs, the values of which are influenced by foreign currencies, effectively assume currency
risk.
(cid:120) Frequent Trading and Portfolio Turnover Rate Risks – High turnover and frequent trading in an
Advisory Account could result in, among other things, higher transaction costs and adverse tax
consequences.
(cid:120) Geopolitical Risk – Geopolitical and other events (e.g., terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, political
and military events, the varying involvement of the United States and other countries in such
conflicts, political and civil unrest related to the foregoing and other events) have had, and could
continue to have, adverse effects on regional and global economic markets, including short-term
market volatility and adverse long term effects that cannot be predicted. These and any other
adverse effects, and adverse effects occurring as a result of similar events in the future, could
negatively impact the value of Advisory Account investments.
(cid:120) Government Investment Restrictions – U.S. and non-U.S. government regulations and restrictions
may limit the amount and type of securities that may be purchased or sold by the Adviser on behalf
of Advisory Accounts, and economic sanction laws in the United States and other jurisdictions or
other governmental action could significantly reduce the value of Advisory Account investments in,
or restrict or completely prohibit the Adviser and Advisory Accounts from investing, continuing to
hold or disposing an investment in, or transacting with or in, certain countries, individuals, and
companies. Some jurisdictions also require governmental approval for repatriation of investment
income, capital or proceeds of sales by foreign investors. Advisory Accounts could be adversely
affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, governmental approval for foreign investments or
repatriation of investment income, and taxes. Additionally, certain investors may be precluded from
51
directly holding assets in these jurisdictions, which could materially impact flexibility in structuring
transactions or increase costs associated with certain investment opportunities.
(cid:120) Hybrid Securities Risks – Credit risk is magnified with respect to preferred and deeply subordinated
long-term debt (“Hybrid Securities”) due to their payoff structure. If an issuer goes into bankruptcy
all other debt holders are paid first and then preferred holders are paid. In addition, most Hybrid
Securities are issued by financial firms and banks. Investing in Hybrid Securities can create an
inadvertent portfolio concentration in financial firms or the financial sector as a whole. Furthermore,
Hybrid Securities usually have maturities of 30 years or longer (in certain cases can remain
outstanding in perpetuity), but can be retired prior to maturity at the option of the issuer.
(cid:120) Hypothetical Performance and Projected Returns Risk – The risk arising from reliance in making
an investment decision on performance of a portfolio not necessarily achieved by any particular
investor. Projected returns are hypothetical, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not
guarantees of future results. Such projected performance is subject to a number of limitations and
assumptions designed to determine the probability or likelihood of a particular investment outcome
based on a range of possible outcomes. It is possible that any of those assumptions will prove not
to be accurate. In addition, performance of a model portfolio, other portfolios, or a client’s Advisory
Account may differ materially from investment gains and avoidance of investment losses projected,
described, or otherwise referenced in forward-looking statements and the projected returns
associated with any of the foregoing may not materialize.
(cid:120)
Improper Market Actors – There can be no assurance that any form of regulation or any market
constraints would prevent certain other market actors from engaging in fraud, market manipulation,
market abuse, or improper influence in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on
Advisory Accounts and their Investments. There can be no assurance that any redress would be
available to, or would be practical for, Advisory Accounts to pursue with respect to any such fraud,
market manipulation, market abuse, or improper influence.
(cid:120)
Index/Tracking Error Risks – The performance of an Advisory Account or Variable Subaccount that
tracks an index may not match, and may vary substantially from, the index for any period of time
and may be negatively impacted by any errors in the index, including in situations where an
Advisory Account or Variable Subaccount is unable to invest in certain securities included in the
index as a result of legal and compliance restrictions, regulatory limits or other restrictions
applicable to the Advisory Account, the Variable Subaccount and/or Goldman Sachs, reputational
considerations or other reasons. Where an index consists of relatively few securities or issuers, it
should be expected that tracking error will be heightened when an Advisory Account or Variable
Subaccount is subject to such limitations or restrictions.
(cid:120)
Indirect Investment in Non-U.S. Securities – Investments in participation notes and depository
receipts used to establish an indirect position in a foreign market are subject to the same risks as
the securities underlying such instruments and may be subject to certain fees or expenses.
(cid:120)
Inflation Risks – The U.S. and other economies have experienced higher-than-normal inflation rates
and it remains uncertain whether substantial inflation in the U.S. and other economies will be
sustained over an extended period of time or have a significant adverse effect on the U.S. and
other economies. Inflation rates can fluctuate rapidly as a result of various factors, including
unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy and economic policy changes. An Advisory
Account’s investments might not keep pace with inflation, which can result in losses to investors
and negative effects on economies and financial markets. Inflation has increased the cost of fuel,
energy, labor, and raw materials, caused supply chain shortages, and may adversely affect
consumer spending, economic growth and the operations of Advisory Account portfolio companies.
Past governmental efforts to curb inflation have also involved drastic economic measures that have
had a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity in the countries where such
52
measures were employed, and similar governmental efforts could be taken in the future to curb
inflation and could have similar effects.
(cid:120)
Interest Rate Risks – Interest rates can fluctuate significantly, causing price volatility with respect
to securities or instruments held by an Advisory Account. Generally, rising interest rates negatively
impact the price of fixed-rate debt, and falling interest rates positively impact price, and adjustable-
rate debt experiences similar changes to a lesser degree. Central bank monetary policy, inflation
rates, and general economic conditions influence interest rates, which is likely to impact the value
of certain securities held by Advisory Accounts either negatively or positively. When interest rates
are rising, debt can be more difficult to repay and the risk of default rises. In periods of falling
interest rates, debt is more likely to be repaid as borrowers refinance to lower rates. Falling interest
rates can also lead to lower returns at the same level of risk in Advisory Accounts. Long-term fixed
income securities will normally have more price volatility because of interest rate risk than short-
term fixed income securities. Risks associated with changing interest rates can have unpredictable
effects on the markets and Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120)
Investment Grade Debt Securities Risk – Investment grade debt securities, like other types of debt
securities, involve credit risk. Investment grade debt securities are also subject to the risk that their
ratings can be downgraded by the ratings agencies. A rating downgrade could decrease the value
of such securities, which could have an adverse impact on Advisory Accounts that own such
securities.
(cid:120)
Investment Style Risks – An Advisory Account could outperform or underperform other Accounts
that invest in similar asset classes but employ different investment styles, and the particular
investment style(s) applied to managing an Advisory Account can impact performance.
(cid:120)
Investments in Certain Multi-Adviser Structures – Where an underlying fund allocates funds to
investment funds selected by its Manager that are affiliated with such Manager and investment
funds selected by such Manager that are not affiliated with such Manager (“Multi-Adviser
Structures”), Goldman Sachs generally will have limited ability to examine the organizational
infrastructure of the underlying managers and the investment funds in which the Advisory Account
indirectly invests. Managers have an incentive to select affiliated investment funds based on
compensation received in connection with managing such affiliated investment funds.
(cid:120)
Investments in Undervalued Assets – The identification of investment opportunities in undervalued
assets is a difficult task, and there is no assurance that such opportunities will be successfully
recognized or acquired. While investments in undervalued assets offer the opportunity for above-
average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree of financial risk and can
result in substantial losses.
(cid:120)
IPOs/New Issues Risks – The purchase of IPO/New Issue shares may involve high transaction
costs and such shares may be subject to greater risks than investments in shares or debt
instruments of publicly traded companies. IPOs and new issues are subject to market risk and
fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned
trading, the small number of shares or bonds available for trading and limited information about the
company’s business model, growth potential and other criteria used to evaluate its investment
prospects.
(cid:120) Lack of Control Over Investments – Advisory Personnel will not have complete or even partial
control over decisions affecting certain investments. For example, Advisory Personnel, when acting
in an advisory capacity, acquire investments that represent minority positions in a debt tranche
where third-party investors control amendments or waivers or enforcement. In addition,
administrative agents may be appointed under certain facilities in which an Advisory Account
invests that have discretion over certain decisions on behalf of the investors, including the Advisory
Account.
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(cid:120) Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks – New and existing legal, tax and regulatory regimes may
adversely impact the ability of the Adviser to conduct activities and transactions in respect of
Advisory Accounts, may require material adjustments to the business and operations of Advisory
Accounts, or may result in increased costs and operational burdens associated with the trading and
investment activity of Advisory Accounts and increased compliance costs (including the cost of
additional resources dedicated to compliance), which could be harmful to Advisory Accounts and
their investors.
(cid:120) Leverage Risk – The use of leverage by an Advisory Account creates exposure to potential gains
and losses in excess of the initial amount invested, and relatively small market movements may
result in large changes in portfolio value. Uncovered put writing creates leverage risk and is not an
equity replacement.
(cid:120) Limited Assets – An Advisory Account with limited assets may be unable to trade in certain
instruments and/or diversify its portfolio across investment strategies or instruments.
(cid:120) Liquidity Risks – It is possible that an Advisory Account might not be able to monetize investments
and could have to hold to maturity or obtain a lower price for investments either because those
investments have become less liquid or illiquid in response to market developments, including
adverse investor perceptions. This includes Alternative Investments such as hedge funds, funds of
hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of private equity funds and real estate funds. It should be
expected that these risks will be more pronounced in connection with an Advisory Account’s
investments in securities of issuers located in emerging market countries.
(cid:120) Litigation Risk – Advisory Accounts may be subject to third-party litigation, which could give rise to
legal liability and could have an adverse effect on the Advisory Accounts. If an Advisory Account
were to be found liable in any suit or proceeding, any associated damages and/or penalties could
have an adverse effect on the value of the Advisory Account.
(cid:120) Losses in Affiliated Underlying Funds Borne Solely by Investors – All losses of an Advisory Account,
including losses relating to investments in underlying funds managed by GSAM, shall be borne
solely by such Advisory Account and not by Goldman Sachs.
(cid:120) Low Trading Volume Risk –It is possible a client is not able to monetize his/her investment or will
have to do so at a loss as a result of generally lower trading volumes of the securities compared to
other types of securities or financial instruments.
(cid:120) Management of Discretionary and Non-Discretionary Accounts – Non-discretionary advisory clients
may not be able to implement the Adviser’s recommendations with respect to the allocation or
reallocation of assets as quickly as the Adviser implements such recommendations on behalf of
discretionary advisory clients, which could cause significant differences in the performance
between non-discretionary and discretionary advisory clients with the same or similar investment
objectives.
(cid:120) Management Risks – A strategy used by the Adviser could fail to produce the intended results for
an Advisory Account, and there is a risk that the entire amount invested may be lost.
(cid:120) Market Abuse Risk – Certain markets have a history of alleged or actual price manipulation, market
abuse and improper influence. Any fraud, price manipulation, market abuse, or improper influence
in markets in which Advisory Accounts invest, directly or indirectly, may have an adverse effect on
such Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Market and Macro Risks – The value of an Advisory Account’s investments could decrease in
response to events affecting individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments,
changes in interest rates, regional or global pandemics, national and international political events,
54
and/or general economic conditions. Economic slowdowns or recessions may cause interest rates
to rise or may disproportionately impact the industries in which an Advisory Account invests,
causing the Advisory Account to be more vulnerable to losses in its portfolio, which may have an
adverse effect on such Advisory Account. In addition, governments from time to time intervene,
directly and by regulation, in certain markets. Such intervention often is intended directly to
influence prices and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in
the same direction. Any market disruptions described above may also result in further changes to
regulatory requirements or other government intervention. Such regulations may be implemented
on an “emergency” basis, which may suddenly prevent the Adviser from implementing certain
investment strategies or from managing the risk of their outstanding positions.
(cid:120) Market Disruption Risks and Terrorism Risks – A number of events could have adverse effects on
the global economy and may exacerbate some of the general risk factors related to investing in
certain strategies.
(cid:120) Master Limited Partnership Risk – Investments by an Advisory Account in securities of MLPs
involve risks that differ from investments in common stock, including: limited control and limited
voting rights; dilution; compulsory redemptions at an undesirable time or price because of
regulatory changes; and greater price volatility. A change in current tax law, or a change in the
underlying business mix of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could cause a reduction of the value of the Advisory
Account’s investment in the MLP and lower income to the Advisory Account.
(cid:120) Mid Cap and Small Cap Risks – Investments in mid- and small- capitalization companies are
generally subject to more price volatility than larger, more established companies and may lack
sufficient market liquidity.
(cid:120) Model Risks – The design or operation of proprietary quantitative or investment models used in the
management of Advisory Accounts may be deficient. Investments selected using these models
may perform differently than expected as a result of the factors used in the models, the weight
placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, the speed that market conditions
change and technical issues in the construction and implementation of the models (including, for
example, data problems and/or software issues). Models can also use artificial intelligence
techniques, such as natural language processing and machine learning, which could be less
transparent or interpretable and could produce unexpected results, which can result in losses.
Moreover, the effectiveness of a model may diminish over time, including as a result of changes in
the market and/or changes in the behavior of other market participants. Operation of a model may
result in negative performance, including returns that deviate materially from historical
performance, both actual and pro-forma. Additionally, commonality of holdings across quantitative
investment managers may amplify losses. There is no guarantee that the use of these models will
result in effective investment decisions for an Advisory Account.
(cid:120) Multiple Levels of Fees and Expenses – Subject to applicable law, Advisory Accounts investing in
advisers or underlying funds generally bear any asset-based and performance-based fees or
allocations and expenses at the Advisory Account level and at the adviser or underlying fund level
(although there will be circumstances in which Advisory Accounts bear such fees at only the
Advisory Account level, or only the adviser level).
(cid:120) No Assurance of Achievement of Investment or Performance Objectives – There is no assurance
that Advisory Accounts will achieve their investment or performance objectives.
(cid:120) Non-Hedging Currency Risks – Volatility in currency exchange rates may produce significant losses
to an Advisory Account which has purchased or sold currencies through the use of forward
contracts or other instruments.
55
(cid:120) Non-U.S. Custody Risk – Advisory Accounts that invest in foreign securities could hold non-U.S.
securities and cash with non-U.S. custodians. Such non-U.S. custodians may be newly formed, or
subject to little or no regulatory oversight over or independent evaluation of their operations, and
the laws of certain countries could place limitations on an Advisory Account’s ability to recover its
assets if a non-U.S. custodian enters bankruptcy. These risks are generally more pronounced in
connection with an Advisory Account’s investments in securities of issuers located in emerging
market countries.
(cid:120) Non-U.S. Securities Risk – Non-U.S. Securities, particularly securities of issuers located in
emerging market countries, may be subject to heightened risk of loss as a result of more or less
government regulation, less public information, less liquidity, risk of nationalization or expropriation
of assets, greater volatility and less economic, political and social stability in the countries of
domicile of the issuers of the securities and/or the jurisdictions in which these securities are traded.
(cid:120) Odd Lot Risk – Pricing services generally price fixed income securities assuming transactions of
an institutional “round lot” size. While the Adviser generally does not seek to purchase odd lots for
Advisory Accounts, the Adviser could from time-to-time trade in smaller “odd lot” sizes because, for
example, it is impractical to acquire an institutional “round lot” due to an Advisory Account's limited
size, an Advisory Account receives an odd lot as a result of a corporate action or other event outside
of the Adviser’s control, or an Advisory Account directs the Adviser to transact in a legacy odd lot
position. Odd lots typically trade at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Over certain time
periods, such differences could materially impact the performance of an Advisory Account that
holds odd lots.
(cid:120) Registered Funds Risk – Advisory Accounts may invest in open-end mutual funds, and to a lesser
extent, registered closed-end funds, as well as ETFs. Open-end mutual funds and registered
closed-end funds have different risk characteristics. Shares of an open-end fund are purchased
directly from the fund whereas closed-end fund shares are purchased and sold in the market,
typically on a recognized stock exchange. Therefore, shares of a closed-end fund, when available,
can be traded during the day at any time and shares in an open-end fund can be purchased from
or sold back to the fund only at the end of the trading day. In addition, the price per share of a
closed-end mutual fund is determined by the market whereas the price per share of an open-end
fund will vary in direct proportion to the fund NAV. Both open-end mutual funds and closed-end
funds may own unlisted securities and use leverage to enhance returns. Furthermore, both open-
end and closed-end fund underlying fund holdings are reported with a lag. It should be expected
that when underlying mutual fund holdings change rapidly fund performance will differ from
expectations. Different mutual funds with similar investment policies, and different share classes
within those funds will have different expense levels.
(cid:120) Operational Risk – An Advisory Account may suffer losses arising from shortcomings or failures in
internal processes, people or systems or external events. Certain Advisory Accounts trade
instruments where operational risk is heightened due to such instruments’ complexity.
(cid:120) Options Close-out Risk – The inability to close out of existing positions if those options were to
become unavailable, including because regulatory agencies impose exercise restrictions that
prevent the holder of an option from realizing value. Options trading is a speculative investment
activity that involves a high degree of risk of loss beyond the value of the underlying securities
investment. Transaction costs may be significant in option strategies that require multiple
purchases and sales of options.
(cid:120) Options Risk – To the extent Advisory Accounts invest in options, they may be subject to the risks
described below in connection with GOAS strategies.
(cid:120) OTC Risk – When a GOAS account invests in securities through instruments traded on OTC
markets, there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of the OTC markets than of
56
organized exchanges or other similar trading platforms. Additionally, a GOAS account may take a
credit risk with regard to parties with which it trades through OTC transactions and as a result bear
the risk of payment, margin, settlement and other performance defaults. Lack of liquidity in OTC
markets may make one or more of the investments in a GOAS account more difficult to dispose of
and to value, and, therefore, may result in the strategy being less liquid than other strategies that
do not invest in securities through OTC markets. These risks may differ materially from those
involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing
organization guarantees, daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum
capital requirements applicable to intermediaries.
(cid:120) Partial or Total Loss of Capital – Certain investments made for Advisory Accounts are intended for
investors who can accept the risks associated with investing in illiquid securities and the possibility
of partial or total loss of capital.
(cid:120) Private Equity Managed Accounts – Private equity investments generally will be long-term and
highly illiquid because such investments generally have no active secondary market and to the
extent any such investment can be resold, such resales are expected to be at a discount and to a
limited universe of eligible investors.
(cid:120) Private Investment Risks – Private investments are highly competitive, less transparent, and illiquid.
(cid:120) Public Health Risk – Advisory Accounts could be materially adversely affected by the widespread
outbreak of infectious disease or other public health crises. Public health crises together with any
containment or other remedial measures undertaken or imposed, could have a material and
adverse effect on Advisory Accounts and their investments.
(cid:120) Put Options Risk – The seller (writer) of a put option which is covered (i.e., the writer has cash to
cover the full strike notional of the option) assumes the risk of a decrease in the market price of the
underlying security below the strike price of the option less the premium received, and gives up the
opportunity for gain above the premium received. The seller of an uncovered put option assumes
the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the exercise price of the
option and gives up the opportunity for gain above the premium received. A put writing strategy
may significantly underperform a stand-alone equity position if the stock appreciates/depreciates
very rapidly or is more volatile than anticipated by the market. With an ongoing put writing strategy,
losses may also exceed the notional amount of the strategy over time. A seller (writer) of a put
writing strategy assumes the risk that the underlying security drops in value and, as a result of
exercise by the purchaser of the option, the seller (writer) of the put option may be required to
purchase the underlier of the option at a price above the current market price or deliver cash to
cash settle an option where the value of the underlier is lower than the strike price. It may not be
possible to trade out of the options in the portfolio prior to their maturity, and even if it is possible,
there are transaction costs, which may be significant. If the seller (writer) of an uncovered put option
is assigned on an open option position that has been exercised, the seller (writer) may be required
to liquidate assets to satisfy the settlement obligations. If the market moves against uncovered put
options positions, additional securities and other assets will be required as margin, on short notice,
in order to maintain the put option positions, or options positions for which there is a margin
deficiency will be liquidated, most likely at a loss and the seller (writer) will be liable for any resulting
deficit. The risk of uncovered options is potentially unlimited and a seller (writer) of put options may
sustain a loss of all assets posted as margin.
(cid:120) Real Estate Industry Risks – Real estate investments involve additional risks not typically
associated with other asset classes. The real estate industry is sensitive to economic downturns,
which may cause occasional or permanent reductions in property values and the values of
securities of real estate companies may fluctuate between under-performance or out-performance
of equity securities markets. Real estate investments (both through public and private markets) are
also subject to changes in broader macroeconomic conditions, such as interest rates.
57
(cid:120) Recession Risk – An Advisory Account’s investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns
or recessions and may be unable to repay their debt obligations during these periods. Therefore,
during these periods, an Advisory Account’s non-performing assets may increase, and the value of
its portfolio may decrease. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral
securing some of an Advisory Account’s debt investments and the value of its equity investments.
These events could prevent an Advisory Account from making new investments and harm its
operating results. An economic downturn could disproportionately impact the industries in which an
Advisory Account invests, causing it to be more vulnerable to losses in its portfolio, which could
negatively impact financial results.
(cid:120) Redemption Risk – Certain asset classes, such as private assets, are only available as part of the
PPLI separately managed account if the per account value is greater than $10 million. Depending
on the applicable premium deposit schedule or redemption schedule of certain existing investments
it may take time for the policy value to reach $10 million. Should the client select a target asset
allocation which includes a range for private assets the separately managed account will not be
able to invest in private assets until the account minimum is met.
(cid:120) Regulatory Restrictions Applicable to Goldman Sachs – From time to time, the activities of Affiliated
Products are restricted because of regulatory or other requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs
and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to
such requirements. External Products may or may not be subject to the same or similar restrictions
or requirements and, as a result, may outperform Affiliated Products. For additional information,
please refer to Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading – Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Firm Policies, Regulatory
Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Reliance on Technology – The Adviser may employ investment strategies that are dependent upon
various computer and telecommunications technologies, which could fail.
(cid:120) Reliance on Third Parties – The Adviser and Advisory Accounts require, and rely upon, the services
of a variety of third parties, including but not limited to attorneys, accountants, administrators,
brokers, custodians, consultants and other agents and vendors. Failure by any of these third parties
to timely and accurately perform their obligations to the Adviser or an Advisory Account could have
an adverse effect upon the Adviser or the Advisory Account.
(cid:120) Reputational Risks – The dissemination of negative or inaccurate information about issuers in
which Advisory Accounts invest via media, including social media, could harm their business,
reputation, financial condition, and results of operations, which could adversely affect Advisory
Accounts and, due to reputational considerations, influence the Adviser’s decision as to whether to
remain invested in such issuers.
(cid:120) Requirement to Perform – When entering into forward, spot or option contracts, or swaps, an
Advisory Account may be required, and must be able, to perform its obligations under the contract.
(cid:120) Restrictions on Investments – Advisory Accounts may be unable or limited in their ability to invest
in certain types of investments due to undertakings of Goldman Sachs with respect to the same
investments.
(cid:120) Risk Management Risks – There can be no assurance that the Adviser’s use of various strategies
to manage the volatility and other risks of an Advisory Account’s portfolio will achieve its objective.
(cid:120) Risks Associated with Investments in Affiliated Products – Advisory Personnel will review as
potential investments for an Advisory Account such universe of products as they determine in their
sole discretion, and it should be expected that the universe of products Advisory Personnel
determine to review will be limited for certain reasons, including: (i) because one or more External
58
Products have not been reviewed or approved by XIG; (ii) because of administrative or practical
considerations, such as time constraints; or (iii) for other reasons determined by Advisory
Personnel. If Advisory Personnel select or recommend an Affiliated Product for an Advisory
Account, they will not have canvassed the universe of available External Products and, in such
circumstances, there may be one or more External Products that are more appropriate than the
Affiliated Product(s) selected or recommended by the Advisory Personnel, including from the
standpoint of the factors Advisory Personnel have taken into consideration. Affiliated Products
generally will not be subject to the same types of operational and other reviews performed with
respect to External Products. On the whole, the due diligence process for Affiliated Products is
significantly less rigorous and substantively different than that for External Products. As a result,
Advisory Personnel may select or recommend an Affiliated Product for an Advisory Account that
underperforms External Products (or other Affiliated Products) that might have been selected or
recommended, or Advisory Personnel could determine not to select or recommend an External
Product that would otherwise have been selected or recommended, had the due diligence process
applicable to External Products been utilized for Affiliated Products. In addition, in certain instances,
Advisory Personnel will not consider any External Products for certain asset classes if an Affiliated
Product is available; as a result, in some situations there are no External Products available for
certain asset classes on the GS platform; as a result, there could be one or more External Products
that would be a more appropriate addition to the Advisory Account than the investment product
selected. Such External Products may outperform the Affiliated Product selected for the Advisory
Account. The fact that Affiliated Products are not subject to the same diligence review applicable
to External Products also could cause Affiliated Products to not be removed from Advisory
Accounts prior to periods in which they underperform potential replacement investment products,
whereas an External Product might have been removed. Goldman Sachs’ decision to offer funds
or separate accounts, including internal or external options, is driven by a variety of factors,
including the availability of high quality managers, investment minimums, the relative cost of funds
as compared to separate accounts as well as internal as compared to external costs, the access
to internal portfolio managers for discussion with clients as well as Advisory Personnel, the potential
for performance differential between Affiliated Products and External Products, the specialized
nature of certain products, and the ability to customize for clients based on their particular needs
and circumstances. Where authorized and if a product is available, Advisory Personnel are able to
select or recommend for the Advisory Account both Affiliated Products and External Products for
particular asset classes or strategies within the Advisory Account. As described below, conflicts of
interest arise in situations in which Advisory Personnel are permitted to allocate investments to
both Affiliated Products and External Products. The differing fee arrangements that apply to
investments by Advisory Accounts in Affiliated Products as compared to External Products create
a preference for the selection or recommendation of Affiliated Products over External Products.
See Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
– Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Affiliated Products / External Products.
(cid:120) Risks of Derivative Investments – Investments in swaps, options, futures, and other derivative
instruments, including those relating to non-U.S. currency transactions, involve risks including,
among others, illiquidity in the markets for derivative instruments, failure of the counterparty to
perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related
leverage factors associated with such transactions.
(cid:120) Risks of Technological Developments – The widespread adoption of new internet, networking or
telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require issuers in which
Advisory Accounts invest to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt their services or
infrastructure to such new technologies, which could adversely affect their results of operations or
financial condition. In addition, new services or technologies offered by competitors or new entrants
may make such issuers less differentiated or less competitive when compared to other alternatives.
(cid:120) Risks Related to Selection by Advisory Personnel of Affiliated Products versus External Products
– Advisory Personnel determine which products to select or recommend to clients. When
considering potential investment products for a particular Advisory Account, Advisory Personnel
59
give different weights to different factors depending on the nature of the client and on whether their
review is for an Affiliated Product or for an External Product. There is a risk that consideration of
such factors will not be applied consistently over time or by particular Advisory Personnel across
all Accounts or across different products and will play a greater role in the review of certain
strategies or products while others play no role at all, and that the factors will change from time to
time. It should be expected that Advisory Personnel do not review the entire universe of External
Products appropriate for an Advisory Account. As a result, Advisory clients should expect that there
could be one or more External Products that would be a more appropriate addition to the Advisory
Account than the investment product selected by such Wealth Advisers. Such External Products
may outperform the Affiliated Product selected for the Advisory Account. See Item 11 – Code of
Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading – Participation or
Interest in Client Transactions – Affiliated Products / External Products.
(cid:120) Risks Related to SOFR – SOFR is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds
overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. SOFR is calculated
based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR
is calculated as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). If data from a given source
required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the most recently
available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in
the transaction data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day,
SOFR may be republished at a later time that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day
of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because SOFR is a financing rate based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs
fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR was intended to be an unsecured rate that represents interbank
funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It was a forward-looking rate reflecting
expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR was intended to be
sensitive, in certain respects, to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is
a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is
largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate risks. SOFR is a
transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such
as historical three-month LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is
no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will perform in the same or similar way as
LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates are
a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April
2018. The future performance of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted
based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the future, may bear little or no relation
to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or other rates.
(cid:120) Risks Related to the Discontinuance of Interbank Offered Rates, in Particular LIBOR – Advisory
Accounts that undertake transactions in instruments that were valued using London Inter-bank
Offered Rates (“LIBOR”) or are valued using other interbank offered rates (“IBORs”) or have
contracts which previously determined payment obligations by reference to LIBOR or still determine
payment obligations by reference to other IBOR rates may be adversely affected as a result of
recent changes related to LIBOR. All LIBOR settings permanently ceased to be published as of
June 30, 2023 and a synthetic version of one-month, three-month and six-month USD LIBOR
settings permanently ceased to be published as of September 30, 2024. As a result of such
changes, instruments that were valued using LIBOR or are valued using other IBORs, or contracts
which determine or previously determined payment obligations by reference to such rates, are
subject to risks including but not limited to the risk of illiquidity, changes in performance
benchmarks, rate increases, operational complexities and valuation measurements that may
adversely affect performance.
(cid:120) Risks Related to the Operation of Markets – Advisory Accounts may incur losses in the event of
the early closure of, complete closure of, suspension of trading in, or similar interruptions affecting
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one or more domestic or international markets, trading venues, or clearing houses on or through
which the Adviser trades for such Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Risks Related to Third-Party Distribution – The distribution of Affiliated Products by third-party
distributors could expose GS&Co. to allegations of improper conduct and/or actions by regulators
in and outside of the U.S. with respect to, among other things, product suitability, investor
classification, compliance with securities laws, anti-money laundering requirements, conflicts of
interest regarding investment allocations, and the adequacy of disclosure (including valuation and
liquidity disclosures) to customers to whom Affiliated Products are distributed through those
channels. Although GS&Co. seeks to ensure through due diligence and onboarding procedures
that the third-party channels through which individual investors access its investment products
conduct themselves responsibly, GS&Co. might not be able to effectively monitor or control the
manner of distribution. For example, GS&Co. relies on such third-party channels to make suitability
determinations and does not conduct its own suitability assessment with respect to investors to
whom Affiliated Products are distributed. As a result, GS&Co. faces reputational risks and legal
liability to the extent such third parties improperly sell its products to investors.
(cid:120) Risks Relating to the Use of Artificial Intelligence – Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) and
certain of its third-party vendors, clients and/or counterparties have developed or otherwise
incorporated artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology in certain business processes, services or
products. AI models are developing rapidly, are highly complex and may produce output or take
action that is incorrect (i.e., hallucinate), that result in the release of private, confidential or
proprietary information, that reflect biases included in the data on which they are trained, infringe
on the intellectual property rights of others, or that is otherwise harmful. The U.S. and global legal
and regulatory environment relating to AI is uncertain and rapidly evolving and could require
changes in Goldman Sachs’ implementation of AI technology and increase compliance costs and
the risk of non-compliance. Further, Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) may rely on AI models
developed by third parties, and Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) may have limited visibility
over the accuracy and completeness of such models. Any of these risks could adversely affect
Goldman Sachs, the Adviser or Advisory Accounts. Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) is also
exposed to risks arising from the use of AI technologies by bad actors to commit fraud and
misappropriate funds and to facilitate cyberattacks. Such actions and other risks associated with
AI could cause, amongst other things, reputational harm to Goldman Sachs, the Adviser or Advisory
Accounts. The investment management business is highly competitive and to the extent that some
or all of the Adviser’s competitors (or new market entrants) institute low cost, high speed financial
applications and services based on AI, Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) and Advisory
Accounts could be at a competitive disadvantage.
(cid:120) Sanctions Risk – Economic sanctions or similar measures by the United States or other non-US
governments imposed on the issuers of securities in an Advisory Account create a heightened risk
of loss due to delayed settlement, liquidity constraints, and an inability to liquidate such securities
at a favorable price or to conduct any transactions in such securities at all. Economic sanctions
may also prevent Goldman Sachs from taking certain steps to obtain timely possession or control
of an Advisory Account’s fully paid securities and excess margin securities to cure a segregation
deficiency.
(cid:120) Secondary Market/Limited Liquidity Risk – The secondary market for one or more of the underlying
structured investments could be limited due to a particular issuer exposure, volatility of a referenced
asset or for other reasons. This lack of liquidity in the secondary market may make one or more of
the underlying investments more difficult to dispose of and to value, resulting in the strategy being
less liquid than other strategies and negatively impacting secondary market valuations.
(cid:120) Sector Concentration – Most preferred and Hybrid Securities are issued by financial firms and
banks. By investing in preferred securities, one can have an inadvertent concentration in one’s
portfolio to financial firms or the financial sector as a whole.
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(cid:120) Short Duration Fixed-Income Strategies – A strategy focused on short duration fixed-income
securities generally will earn less income and could provide lower total returns, than longer duration
strategies.
(cid:120) Short Selling/Position Risk – Short selling involves the risk of potentially unlimited losses and the
inability to reacquire a security or close the transaction timely or at an acceptable price.
(cid:120) Sizing Risk – Options strategies may not be appropriately sized for a particular risk profile. Although
the risks of investing in an options strategy remain the same regardless of the size of the
investment, appropriate sizing can reduce the proportional impact of such risks relative to a client’s
larger portfolio.
(cid:120) Sovereign Debt Risks – Investment in sovereign debt obligations involves risks not present in debt
obligations of corporate issuers, such as the issuer’s inability or unwillingness to repay principal or
interest, and limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default.
(cid:120) Substitution Risk – A substitution recommendation might not be able to be implemented due to a
number of external factors, thereby impacting the efficiency of the program.
(cid:120) Sustainability Risks – Advisory Account investments could be exposed to sustainability risks (i.e.,
where an environmental, social or governance event or condition exists that could cause an actual
or a potential material negative impact on the value of investments), including physical
environmental risks, climate change transition risks, supply chain disruptions, improper labor
practices and corruption. If they materialize, sustainability risks can reduce the value of investments
held by an Advisory Account and could have a material impact on the performance and returns of
Advisory Accounts.
(cid:120) Tax Aware Investment Risks – This section briefly summarizes some of the important risks,
including U.S. federal income tax consequences, that may arise in connection with “tax-aware”
strategies. Tax aware strategies are generally designed for U.S. taxable clients to realize capital
losses (primarily short-term) and defer capital gains. They may also be referred to as “tax
advantaged,” “tax managed,” or “tax aware” strategies or accounts (collectively referred to herein
as tax aware strategies or accounts). This section does not address all tax rules, including state
laws, non-U.S. person regulations, and other rules applicable to certain types of clients or special
circumstances. GS&Co. does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice unless otherwise agreed
to by GS&Co. in writing.
o Payment of Taxes – Clients will be responsible for payment of any and all taxes due as a result
of transactions in an account that pursues a tax aware strategy.
o Risks Relating to Tax Aware Strategies Generally – Tax aware strategies are designed for U.S.
taxable clients to realize capital losses (primarily short-term) and defer capital gains. If the
strategies fail to meet these tax-aware objectives, the after-tax result could be worse than if the
client had not enrolled in the strategy at all. Furthermore, implementing tax-aware
methodologies may introduce substantial non-tax economic costs, such as retaining securities
with unrealized gains that hinder the ability to align the portfolio with desired investment
allocations. By intentionally triggering capital losses and replacing sold securities, the average
cost basis of the securities in the portfolio is reduced. This creates a growing contingent future
tax liability on unrealized gains. If the account is eventually liquidated, the client will generally
face immediate taxes on these realized gains. The extent of any tax benefits, even if achieved
by a tax aware strategy or account, could vary depending upon a client’s investments outside
of the strategy in an account within GS&Co. or held outside of GS&Co., or in accounts held by
related parties, within GS&Co. or held outside of GS&Co.
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Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, Managers of tax aware strategies, including the TACS
managed by GSAM, manage tax-aware accounts on a standalone basis and do not consider
any other assets that a client owns (including in other accounts managed by the Manager,
including those managed by GSAM or its affiliates). Transactions in these outside accounts
can trigger adverse tax consequences under U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) wash
sale, straddle, or constructive sale rules. In the event of an unfavorable determination on an
IRS tax audit, clients may be subject to additional taxation (including interest and penalties) on
a current or retroactive basis. Tax reporting of gains and losses on IRS Form 1099, and
associated tax basis reporting, will generally not reflect all of the consequences of straddles,
wash sales, constructive sales or the disqualification of dividends and it is incumbent on clients
and their tax advisors to independently recognize and account for such tax consequences.
Managers ability to utilize various tax-management techniques may be curtailed or eliminated
in the future by tax legislation, regulation or interpretations, each of which may have retroactive
effects and clients should consult their tax advisor.
The sale of positions to repay borrowing on your portfolio generally could also have tax
ramifications and diminish your overall tax objectives especially where you have chosen to
invest in a tax aware strategy. Further, adverse tax consequences, such as those mentioned
below, could, in some circumstances, exceed the potential tax benefits of a tax aware strategy.
o Constructive Sales – Under the IRC, a client may be treated as recognizing a gain (but not a
loss) if they hold a position that economically offsets an appreciated position (e.g., a long
position in a TACS account and an offsetting short position in a different account).
o Tax Straddles – Certain adverse tax consequences can apply when a taxpayer or a related
party holds "offsetting positions" (e.g., a stock and an offsetting option) that substantially
diminish the risk of loss from holding one position by reason of holding one or more other
positions, including the suspension or elimination of realized losses, the conversion of short-
term losses into long-term losses, the resetting of holding periods to zero, and the
disqualification of dividends from preferential tax rates.
o Wash Sales – Under the wash sale rules, the loss on the sale of a stock or security is disallowed
and is instead added to the basis of the replacement security. A client’s ability to use realized
losses may be limited if a client invests in multiple mandates that trade the same or substantially
identical securities, and/or through accounts that are deemed to be related under the relevant
tax rules and regulations ("related accounts"). In certain instances, Managers may intentionally
engage in wash sales when they believe that the trades are beneficial to do so. In addition,
Managers may be unable to avoid wash sales in certain circumstances. To the extent that one
or more TACS accounts are managed as related for tax purposes, GSAM may limit or reduce
trading across those accounts in order to avoid wash sales which may result in less loss
harvesting for the accounts. The rules apply to both long and short positions. Managers are not
responsible for identifying wash sales across a client’s portfolio.
o Qualified Dividends – To receive preferential tax rates on dividends, a stock must be held for
more than 60 days during a specific 121-day window. Clients who hold a short position in the
same or similar stock directly or in a related account during this period can cause the dividend
to fail to be qualified, causing it to be taxed at higher ordinary income rates.
o Additional Risks Related to the TACS and GOAS Call Writing Strategy Accounts – If you
maintain a TACS account and a GOAS call writing strategy account, a straddle may be created
if the underlier of the call option(s) held in the GOAS call writing account is substantially similar
to equity positions across your investment portfolio, as those equity positions generally may
reduce the risk of loss on the call option(s).
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o Additional Risks Related to the Tax Aware Active Extension Strategies – Tax aware Active
Extension strategies (“Active Extension Strategies”), including TACS Active Extension
Strategies managed by GSAM, are generally tax aware strategies that utilize both short sales
and margin loans in an effort to deliver outperformance relative to the market while seeking to
provide additional tax management opportunities relative to other tax aware strategies. In
addition to the risks described above, the Active Extension Strategies are subject to certain
other risks including short sale risk and certain tax risk. Please also refer to Item 8 – Leverage
Risk.
(cid:131) Short Sale Risks – The Active Extension Strategies will require that a broker dealer
execute a short sale of securities chosen by Managers. If a client fails to deliver any
securities sold in a long sale, the broker dealer (which could be an affiliate of GSAM)
will be authorized to borrow the necessary securities to enable the broker dealer to
make delivery. Clients are responsible for all costs, including borrowing fees and
payments, while facing risks related to leverage, counterparty insolvency, and the
potential for lenders to terminate loans unexpectedly. Please refer to Item 8 – Short
Selling/Position Risk.
(cid:131) Tax Risk – It is possible that the IRS could challenge the tax benefits associated with
the TACS Active Extension Strategies, in which case adverse tax consequences along
with interest and penalties could apply. Clients should consult their tax advisor.
(cid:120) Tax Exempt Risk – The tax exempt status of municipal securities could change or be removed
completely which would negatively impact the value of municipal bonds.
(cid:120) Technology Sector Risks – Stock prices of technology companies may experience significant price
movements as a result of intense market volatility, worldwide competition, consumer preferences,
product compatibility, product obsolescence, government regulation, or excessive investor
optimism or pessimism.
(cid:120) Term of Investment – Preferred and Hybrid Securities usually have long maturities (often 30 years
or longer) or even no maturity date at all, meaning they can remain outstanding in perpetuity. They
generally are “callable,” i.e., they can be retired prior to maturity under specified terms of the bond
indenture; however, this is an option of the issuer.
(cid:120) Timing of Implementation Risks – There may be delays in the implementation of investment
strategies, including as a result of differences in time zones and the markets on which securities
trade. Whether an Advisory Account is managed on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis can
also disrupt the implementation of an investment strategy, For example, certain investment
strategies may be delayed or not pursued in Advisory Accounts managed on a non-discretionary
basis because the client must authorize transactions before they can be executed.
(cid:120) Tracking Error Risk – The performance of a client’s Thematic Portfolio could be different than the
performance of, and could vary substantially from, the model portfolio due to the Thematic
Portfolio’s inability to invest in certain securities as a result of legal and compliance restrictions,
regulatory limits, Advisory Account restrictions put in place by the client, other restrictions
applicable to the Advisory Account, reputational considerations or other reasons.
(cid:120) Trade Protectionism – Advisory Accounts may be materially affected by market, economic and
political conditions globally and in the jurisdictions and sectors in which they invest or operate,
including economic outlook, factors affecting interest rates, the availability of credit, currency
exchange rates, and trade barriers. Recent populist and anti-globalization movements, particularly
in the United States, may result in material changes in economic trade and immigration policies, all
of which could lead to significant disruption of global markets and could have adverse
consequences on the Advisory Accounts’ investments. The imposition of tariffs, for example, can
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lead to supply shortages and higher costs, potentially impacting their profitability and
competitiveness.
(cid:120) Trading on Non-U.S. Exchanges – Futures and securities traded on exchanges located outside the
United States may be subject to greater counterparty risk than those traded on U.S. exchanges,
financial irregularities and/or lack of appropriate risk monitoring and controls.
(cid:120) Trading Restriction Risk –Temporary or permanent trading restrictions may be imposed on
securities (including ADRs, ADSs, ETFs, US common stocks, exchange traded derivatives, or other
securities) or options in your GOAS account. In such instances, the security or option may remain
in the GOAS account and become worthless or create exposure in the GOAS account that may
have a significant cost to a client.
(cid:120) U.S. Treasury Securities Risk – Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit
of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when
held to maturity, but the market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate,
including as changes in global economic conditions affect the demand for these securities.
Additionally, it is expected that the SEC’s recent adoption of rules which will require central clearing
of a broad range of cash and repurchase transactions in U.S. Treasury securities beginning on
December 31, 2026 will result in significant changes in the current marketplace, which in turn will
have significant effects on market participants including the Adviser and its affiliates and on the
prices of U.S. Treasury securities. The full impact of these changes is uncertain.
(cid:120) Underlying Portfolios Market Risk – Certain equity portfolios underlying options positions could
have losses that are greater than gains in the value of the options positions in the strategy, or that
losses on the option positions will occur at the same time as losses in the value of the underlying
equity positions of a strategy. In addition, certain instruments, including exchange-listed and OTC
put and call options, may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, a
customer will not be able to close out of some transactions without incurring losses substantially
greater than the initial deposit.
(cid:120) Underperformance Risk – A client’s Thematic Portfolio could underperform the broad-based equity
market. The Thematic Portfolio could negatively impact a client’s total return. In addition, a
structured investment strategy could underperform the underlying investments due to reasons such
as the payout feature of one or more investments and the fact that such structured investments do
not receive dividends.
(cid:120) Valuation Risks – In valuing assets that lack a readily ascertainable market value GSAM or its
agent may utilize dealer-supplied quotations or pricing models based on methodologies that are
subject to error.
(cid:120) Variable Annuity Risk – The Variable Subaccount are selected by the sponsor of the variable
annuity and may be limited in number when compared to investment options available through
GS&Co. or a third party or the Adviser may decide not to exercise discretion on, or make
recommendations related to, certain Variable Subaccounts available due to regulatory restrictions
or Goldman Sachs policy or practice. In attempting to implement a model investment portfolio
consistent with the client’s agreed investment strategy, the performance of the client’s variable
annuity may be different than the performance of the client’s other assets invested to achieve the
same investment strategy because of the different investment options available through the
variable annuity as compared to when GS&Co. and Fidelity acts as custodian.
(cid:120) Virtual Currency/Digital Assets/Cryptocurrency Risk – Advisory Accounts may invest in virtual or
“crypto” currencies and other similar digital assets, including through the use of virtual currency
derivatives, ETFs and options and through private funds that invest in such assets (collectively,
“Virtual Currencies”). Virtual Currencies are not legal tender in the United States and the market
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for Virtual Currencies may be highly volatile. Virtual Currencies and related technologies are subject
to various cybersecurity risks, such as hacking vulnerabilities. Virtual Currency exchanges, as well
as other intermediaries, custodians and vendors used to facilitate Virtual Currency transactions,
are relatively new and largely unregulated in both the United States and many foreign jurisdictions,
and may have a higher level of operational risk than regulated futures or securities exchanges,
including service interruptions or permanent cessation of operations due to manipulation, fraud,
misappropriation of assets, government or regulatory involvement, or other reasons. Any such
events could negatively impact the value of customers’ Virtual Currency. Virtual Currency
derivatives face particular risks relating to margin requirements and potential restrictions on
customer trading activity. Virtual Currencies currently face an uncertain regulatory landscape in the
United States and many foreign jurisdictions. One or more jurisdictions may, in the future, adopt
laws, regulations or directives that affect Virtual Currency networks and their users. Tax
considerations may vary across global jurisdictions and could increase, rendering ownership of
Virtual Currencies subject to more punitive taxation in the future.
(cid:120) Volatility Risks – The prices and values of investments can be highly volatile, and are influenced
by, among other things, interest rates, general economic conditions, investor sentiment, the
condition of the financial markets, the financial condition of the issuers of such assets, changing
supply and demand relationships, programs and policies of governments, regional or global
pandemics, developments or trends in any particular industry, and political and economic events
and policies worldwide. In the event that securities trading is significantly reduced or halted due to
any of the foregoing or other factors, it might be difficult for an Advisory Account or underlying fund
to properly value its holdings in such securities.
(cid:120) Wealth Transfer Risk – If the assets in a GRAT do not outperform the IRS-imposed hurdle rate, the
GRAT will not result in the desired wealth transfer.
ITEM 9 – DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
In the ordinary course of its business, the Adviser and its management persons, as well as Goldman Sachs,
Advisory Accounts, and/or other Goldman Sachs personnel, have in the past been, and may in the future
be, subject to periodic audits, examinations, claims, litigation, formal and informal regulatory or other
inquiries, requests for information, subpoenas, employment-related matters, disputes, investigations, and
other civil, legal or regulatory proceedings involving the SEC, other regulatory authorities, or private parties.
Such actions, investigations, litigation and claims have the potential to result in findings, conclusions,
settlements, charges or various forms of sanctions against the Adviser or its management persons, as well
as Goldman Sachs and other Goldman Sachs personnel, including fines, suspensions of personnel,
changes in policies, procedures or disclosure or other sanctions and may increase the exposure of the
Advisory Accounts, the Adviser and Goldman Sachs to potential liabilities and to legal, compliance and
other related costs. Such actions or proceedings may involve claims of strict liability or similar risks against
Advisory Accounts in certain jurisdictions or in connection with certain types of activities.
Information about the Adviser’s investment management affiliates is contained in Part 1 of the Adviser Form
ADV.
For information relating to other Goldman Sachs affiliates, please visit www.gs.com and refer to the public
filings of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
ITEM 10 – OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Other Material Relationships with Affiliated Entities
In certain cases, the Adviser uses, suggests and recommends its own services and those of affiliated
Goldman Sachs entities and business units. Fees paid in connection with such services, while believed to
be customary compensation for relevant activities, are not always negotiated and, from time to time, could
be more or less than what a comparable third party might charge. The Adviser manages Advisory Accounts
on behalf of certain affiliated Goldman Sachs entities, which creates potential conflicts of interest related to
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the Adviser’s determination to use, suggest or recommend the services of such entities or business units.
The particular services involved depend on the types of services offered by the affiliate or business unit.
The arrangements may involve sharing or joint compensation, or separate compensation, subject to the
requirements of applicable law. The Adviser shares resources with or delegates certain of its trading,
advisory and other activities for advisory clients to affiliated entities, and portfolio management functions
may be shared or moved between Affiliated Managers. Particular relationships may include, but are not
limited to, those discussed below. The Adviser’s affiliates will retain any compensation when providing
investment services to, or in connection with investment activities of, Advisory Accounts, subject to
applicable law. Compensation may take the form of referral payments, commissions, mark-ups, mark-
downs, service fees or other commission equivalents. Advisory Accounts are not entitled to any such
compensation retained by the Adviser’s affiliates.
Broker-Dealer
The Adviser’s affiliates, Mercer Allied and GS&Co., are registered with the SEC as broker-dealers. Certain
of the Adviser’s management persons and employees are registered representatives of GS&Co. and/or
Mercer Allied to the extent necessary or appropriate to perform their responsibilities. When acting as a
registered representative, these individuals offer brokerage services. Registered representatives of
GS&Co. are eligible to receive commissions for those brokerage transactions. Brokerage services provided
by a registered representative are different from advisory services offered through the Adviser. Because of
the potential for the Wealth Advisors to generate a commission separate from, or in addition to fees charged
by the Adviser, Wealth Advisors are incentivized to refer clients for investment in brokerage products based
on the potential compensation rather than considering the client’s interest. This conflict is mitigated by the
broker-dealers’ oversight of brokerage products and sales activity of its registered representatives as well
as Mercer Allied, GS&Co. and its registered representatives’ obligation to act in a retail client’s best interest.
Further, clients are under no obligation to conduct brokerage services through the broker-dealer which the
Wealth Advisors are associated with as a registered representative.
GS&Co. uses, or suggests or recommends that advisory clients use the securities, futures execution,
clearing, custody or other services offered by its affiliates, including, but not limited to, GS&Co. The Adviser
and GS&Co. have overlapping officers, and personnel and share office space and certain expenses. The
Adviser’s affiliates, including GS&Co., receive compensation when acting as a broker-dealer executing
transactions for Advisory Accounts.
In addition, the Adviser’s broker-dealer affiliates that provide custodial services benefit from the use of free
credit balances (i.e., cash) in Advisory Accounts, subject to the limitation set forth in SEC Rule 15c3-3 under
the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Free credit balances are payable to clients on
demand. If negative interest rates apply, clients will be charged a fee in connection with such free credit
balances. The Adviser receives certain recordkeeping, administrative and support services from other parts
of GS&Co. or its affiliates. The Adviser obtains research ideas, analyses, reports and other services
(including distribution services) from its affiliates.
Subject to client consent to the extent required by applicable law, in certain circumstances GS&Co. enters
into principal transactions, including over-the-counter derivatives transactions, for clients with its affiliates,
including GSI and other affiliates of GS&Co. GS&Co.’s affiliates will earn mark-ups, mark-downs, spreads,
financing fees and other charges that may be embedded in the cost of the derivative. Clients will pay these
charges in addition to the advisory fee paid to GS&Co. GS&Co. and its affiliates will likely share all or a
portion of their charges and fees with each other and with their affiliates and employees, which could create
an incentive to make execution decisions based on their interest in receiving a share of such charges and
fees. For additional information about principal trading, please see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation
or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading – Participation or Interest in Client Transactions –
Firm Policies, Regulatory Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting Advisory Accounts.
Advisory Accounts will generally execute all transactions through GS&Co. or Fidelity as custodian as further
described in Item 12 – Brokerage Practices – Broker-Dealer Selection and Directed Brokerage. Subject to
client consent as required by applicable law, GS&Co. or its affiliates may engage in principal transactions
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with Advisory Accounts that are not Retirement Accounts with GS&Co. as custodian. For additional
information about principal trading, see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading. Goldman Sachs typically earns Execution Charges in connection with
transactions executed as agent or principal. Clients will pay these charges in addition to the advisory fee
paid to the Adviser or its affiliates except as described in Item 5 – Fees and Compensation. Goldman Sachs
will likely share all or a portion of any Execution Charges with its affiliates and Goldman Sachs employees,
including the Adviser and their Wealth Advisors, which could create an incentive to make execution
decisions based on their interest in receiving a share of Execution Charges. For accounts offered through
the Adviser, but managed by GSAM, transactions are executed according to GSAM’s policies and
procedures regarding execution of trades.
In addition, Goldman Sachs has ownership interests in trading networks, securities or derivatives indices,
trading tools and settlement systems.
In addition, Goldman Sachs holds ownership interests in, and Goldman Sachs personnel sit on the boards
of directors of, centralized exchanges and trading platforms, electronic communication networks, alternative
trading systems and other similar execution or trading systems or venues (collectively, “ECNs/Trading
Venues”). Goldman Sachs may be deemed to control one or more of such ECNs/Trading Venues based
on its levels of ownership and its representation on the board of directors of such ECNs/Trading Venues.
As of the date hereof, Goldman Sachs held ownership interests in the following ECNs/Trading Venues: (i)
Members Exchange (MEMX), (ii) Members Exchange Options (MEMX Options), (iii) PureStream, (iv) GS
Sigma X2 and (v) Marquee (GSCO). Goldman Sachs may acquire ownership interests in other
ECNs/Trading Venues (or increase ownership in the ECNs/Trading Venues listed above) in the future.
Additional information regarding the ECNs/Trading Venues in which Goldman Sachs has an ownership
interest, as well as the ECNs/Trading Venues used by the Adviser, is updated from time to time and is
available at https://www.goldmansachs.com/disclosures/ecns-disclosure.html.
Consistent with its duty to seek best execution for the Advisory Accounts, the Adviser, from time to time,
directly or indirectly, effects trades for Advisory Accounts through such ECNs/Trading Venues. In such
cases, Goldman Sachs receives an indirect economic benefit based upon its ownership interests in
ECNs/Trading Venues. In addition, Goldman Sachs receives fees, cash credits, rebates, discounts or other
benefits from ECNs/Trading Venues to which it, as broker, routes order flow based on the aggregate trading
volume generated by Goldman Sachs (including volume not associated with client orders) and the type of
order flow routed, and certain ECNs/Trading Venues, such as many exchanges, provide rebates or charge
fees based on whether routed orders contribute to, or extract liquidity from, the ECN/Trading Venue.
Discounts or rebates received by Goldman Sachs from an ECN/Trading Venue during any time period could
differ and could exceed the fees paid by Goldman Sachs to the ECN/Trading Venue during that time period.
The amount of such discounts or rebates varies. Further, the U.S. listed options exchanges sponsor
marketing fee programs through which registered market-makers receive payments from the exchanges
based upon their market making status and/or as a result of their designation as a “preferenced” market
maker by an exchange member with respect to certain options orders. The Adviser’s affiliates may receive
payments from “preferenced” registered market makers related to these exchange-sponsored marketing
fee programs. The amount of such payments varies. The Adviser will effect trades for an Advisory Account
through such ECNs/Trading Venues only if the Adviser reasonably believes that such trades are in the best
interest of the Advisory Account and that the requirements of applicable law have been satisfied. As
discussed in further detail in Item 12 – Brokerage Practices, the Adviser executes transactions with
Goldman Sachs or unaffiliated broker-dealers in accordance with its best execution policies and
procedures.
In the event assets of an Advisory Account are treated as “plan assets” subject to ERISA, the use of
ECNs/Trading Venues to execute trades on behalf of such Advisory Account may, absent an exemption,
be treated as a prohibited transaction under ERISA. However, the Adviser effects trades through
ECNs/Trading Venues provided that such trades are executed in accordance with the exemption under
Section 408(b)(16) of ERISA. In addition, the Adviser is required to obtain authorization from any Advisory
Account whose assets are treated as “plan assets” in order to execute transactions on behalf of such
Advisory Account using an ECN/Trading Venue in which Goldman Sachs has an ownership interest.
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Furthermore, there may be limitations or restrictions placed on the use of ECNs/Trading Venues (including,
without limitation, for purposes of complying with law and otherwise).
Through Goldman Sachs’ trading on or membership to various trading platforms or venues or interactions
with certain service providers (including depositaries and messaging platforms), Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates, in certain cases, receive interests, shares or other economic benefits from such service providers.
Mercer Allied primarily distributes Variable Products. In reviewing Variable Products that it makes available
to clients, Mercer Allied generally reviews issuing insurance companies’ credit rating, competitiveness of
product, client service resources and general processes for manager selection for Variable Subaccounts.
The Adviser generally does not presently provide advice on or recommendations of individual Variable
Subaccounts. See Item 4 – Advisory Business – Other Offerings – Fixed and Variable Insurance and
Annuities. In no case do Mercer Allied or the Adviser determine what Variable Subaccount options are
made available by insurance companies. Variable Subaccounts are not custodied at Goldman Sachs. The
Adviser does not have discretion to allocate premiums on behalf of policy owners and any assessment as
to whether a particular Variable Subaccount fits within the annuity owner’s investment objectives or any
decision to allocate additional premiums to a particular Variable Subaccount must be determined solely by
the policy owner. Implementation of a model portfolio using any Variable Subaccounts is based on the
information provided by the issuing carrier and/or third-party database providers and the Adviser has not
verified the accuracy or completeness of any performance or other information provided by or about the
Variable Subaccount. Performance of a Variable Product may be adversely impacted if the policy owner
does not allocate a Variable Product to one or more Variable Subaccounts. Past performance of Variable
Subaccounts may not be indicative of future results.
Investment Companies and Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates, including GSAM, act in an advisory or sub-advisory capacity with
respect to Separately Managed Accounts and private investment funds and in other capacities, including
as trustee, managing member, adviser, administrator and/or distributor to a variety of U.S. and non-U.S.
investment companies (including Variable Subaccounts that are structured as registered investment
companies) as well as other pooled investment vehicles, including collective trusts, ETFs, closed-end funds,
business development companies and private investment funds. Such advisory, sub-advisory, or other
relationships in some cases are with affiliated entities or with institutions that are not part of Goldman Sachs.
Certain Goldman Sachs personnel are also directors, trustees and/or officers of these investment
companies and other pooled investment vehicles. The Adviser and its affiliates, in their capacities as
advisers or sub-advisers to these entities, will receive management or advisory fees. Although such fees
are generally paid by the entities, the costs are ultimately borne by clients as investors. These fees will be
in addition to any advisory fees or other fees agreed between investors in their capacity as clients and
Goldman Sachs for investment advisory, brokerage or other services. Except as otherwise agreed, clients
of the Adviser and its affiliates may invest in these investment companies and other pooled investment
vehicles offered by Goldman Sachs without paying fees to the Adviser. For entities where the Adviser or its
affiliates applies an advisory fee, the fee that will apply is generally the same for both affiliated and
unaffiliated entities and clients may pay more or less than the index oriented fee depending on the agreed
upon fee schedule. For additional information on compensation earned for the sale of these products,
please see Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.
Other Investment Advisers
The Adviser has investment advisory affiliates in and outside of the United States that are registered with
the SEC as investment advisers. These affiliates include, but are not limited to: GS&Co., GSAM, and
Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”). The Adviser and its affiliates have or intend
to have co-advisory or sub-advisory relationships with their investment advisory affiliates, as required for
proper management of particular Advisory Accounts and in accordance with applicable law. The Adviser
and its affiliates will receive compensation in connection with such relationships. For additional information
on compensation earned when clients select other investment advisers, see Item 10 – Receipt of
Compensation from Investment Advisers below. Where permissible by law, the Adviser and its affiliates
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share resources in connection with providing investment advisory services, including credit analysis,
execution services and trade support.
The Adviser’s personnel may recommend the investment advisory services of the Adviser’s affiliates,
including, but not limited to, GS&Co. and GSAM to their clients. The Adviser, and Wealth Advisors who
make referrals and participate in the Adviser’s compensation plans, receive compensation for referring
clients to such affiliates, and vice versa. Where the Adviser refers clients to affiliated advisers, including,
but not limited to, GS&Co., GSAM, and GSAMI, in connection with certain services it receives referral fees
subject to applicable law and compensates its employees for such referrals. From time to time, the Adviser
also refers clients to certain unaffiliated investment advisers. In such instances, the investment adviser
(including GS&Co.) pays the Adviser a portion of the investment management fee charged to the client.
Manager selection and ongoing due diligence of unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs used in strategies
managed by the Adviser are performed by GSAM.
Clients may be offered access to advisory services through GS&Co., GSAM, or GSAMI, or other affiliated
investment advisers. These investment advisers manage Accounts according to different strategies and
may also apply different criteria to the same or similar products (including but not limited to equities and
fixed income securities). For instance, in the case of Accounts holding municipal bonds, GSAM and GS&Co.
may apply different credit criteria (including different minimum credit ratings, sector restrictions, maturity
limitations or portfolio duration), they may offer different portfolio structures (e.g., laddered, barbelled or
customized), and they may have different minimum account size requirements. Additionally, GS&Co.
executes trades through itself as well as third parties and may participate in underwritings, whereas GSAM
and GSAMI generally only execute trades through third parties. Since each investment adviser’s investment
decisions are made independently, it should be expected that GSAM and/or GSAMI may be buying while
clients are selling, or vice versa. Therefore, it is possible that accounts managed by GSAM or GSAMI could
sustain losses during periods in which accounts managed by the Adviser achieve significant profits on their
trading, and vice versa.
Subject to applicable law, the Adviser has the discretion to delegate all or a portion of its advisory or other
functions (including placing trades on behalf of Advisory Accounts) to any affiliate that is registered with the
SEC as an investment adviser or to any of its non-U.S. affiliated advisers. The Adviser may also move or
share portfolio management between affiliated advisers. This might include the movement of portfolio
managers from the Adviser to an affiliated adviser or the transfer of management of the portfolio to a
management team within an affiliated adviser.
A copy of the brochures of GS&Co., GSAM, GSAMI or other affiliated investment advisers is available on
the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov) and will be provided to clients or prospective clients upon
request. Clients that want more information about any of these affiliates should contact the Adviser.
Financial Planner
The Adviser provides Financial Planning services, Investment Management, financial education and other
services primarily to employees, members or participants of Corporate Partners or Community-Based
Partners.
Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, Commodity Trading Advisor
GS&Co. and certain of its affiliates are registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(“CFTC”) as an FCM, CPO, SD and CTA. These affiliates include GSAM and GSAMI. If permitted by law
and applicable regulation, the Adviser buys, sells and/or clears futures and swaps on behalf of its Advisory
Accounts through itself or its CFTC-registered affiliates and these affiliates will receive commissions in
connection with such transactions. The Adviser also utilizes the services of these affiliates in connection
with foreign exchange transactions for certain Advisory Accounts.
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Bank or Thrift Institution
Banks. GS Group is a Financial Holding Company and a Bank Holding Company registered with the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the BHCA. GS Group is subject
to supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve Board.
GS Bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured, New York State chartered Federal
Reserve member bank. GS Bank accepts brokered deposits, lends to individuals and corporate clients,
transacts in certain derivatives, and provides securities lending, custody and hedge fund administration
services. GS Bank offers Securities-Based Loans and structured loans to certain clients of the Adviser. GS
Bank benefits from the use of Securities-Based Loans by charging interest on those loans. The Adviser and
certain Advisory Personnel will receive compensation for referring clients to GS Bank for such loans. These
loans are not made on an advisory basis but are solely self-directed. Such referrals create a conflict
between the interests of clients and the interests of the Adviser and its Advisory Personnel since the Adviser
and certain Advisory Personnel have an economic interest in the loans. Such compensation is in addition
to compensation the Adviser and certain Advisory Personnel receive from the investment advisory fee
charged by the Adviser for providing advisory services to the Advisory Accounts pledged as collateral for
the loans. Borrowing against securities is not suitable for all investors. Sufficient collateral must be
maintained to support a loan and to take advances. It should be expected that if there is a decline in the
value of a client’s collateral assets, including as a result of markets going down in value, clients will be
required to deposit more securities or funds to maintain the level needed to avoid a maintenance call or
pay down the line of credit and that GS Bank will sell some or all of a client’s securities without prior notice
to maintain the account at the required levels. This could affect a client’s holdings or the account or strategy
the client is invested in, and could also have tax ramifications, in particular diminishing a client’s overall tax
objectives, especially where the client has chosen to invest in a tax aware strategy. GS Bank can increase
a client’s collateral maintenance requirements at any time without notice. Additionally, GS Bank has no
obligation to fund the line and can change the client’s interest rate or demand full or partial repayment at
any time. Clients should also consult with their own tax advisor prior to using municipal securities as
collateral, as there may be tax consequences associated with doing so.
The Adviser offers a Bank Deposit Cash Sweep with its affiliate, GS Bank, which may be elected for use in
eligible accounts, including at a client’s direction. Unless the client selects a different cash sweep option,
the Bank Deposit Cash Sweep will generally be the default sweep option regardless of any difference in
actual or expected returns in connection with other sweep options. Returns on cash sweep options are
impacted by a variety of factors, including applicable interest rates and the nature of the account. For
example, interest rates on a Bank Deposit Cash Sweep could yield lower returns than cash swept to money
market funds, and after-tax yields on Bank Deposit Cash Sweep could yield lower results than cash swept
to money market funds. The Bank Deposit Cash Sweep provides benefits to GS&Co. and GS Bank. GS
Bank may pay GS&Co. a fee in connection with Advisory Accounts that use the Bank Deposit Cash Sweep.
GS&Co. and Wealth Advisors earn higher compensation in connection with Bank Deposit Cash Sweep
than from cash swept to money market funds. The Bank Deposit Cash Sweep provides benefits to GS&Co.
and GS Bank. GS Bank may pay GS&Co. a fee in connection with Advisory Accounts that use the Bank
Deposit Cash Sweep Option.
Interest rates applied to Bank Deposit Cash Sweep offered through GS Bank are variable and subject to
change at the sole discretion of GS Bank. Rates may be higher or lower than rates available at other banks
and may vary based on the amount of a client’s deposit balances or relationship with GS&Co. Clients can
obtain information about interest rates by going to www.goldman.com, or asking their GS&Co. team. GS
Bank benefits from the use of cash swept from client account assets because client participation in the
Bank Deposit Cash Sweep option increases GS Bank’s deposits and thus its overall profits. GS&Co. acts
as agent in establishing, and custodian in maintaining records of the clients’ beneficial ownership of the
Bank Deposit Cash Sweep at GS Bank. Clients may also open separate savings accounts and term
deposits to which different interest rates may apply. In particular, clients may open direct accounts at GS
Bank at rates that could be higher or lower than rates for the Bank Deposit Cash Sweep. The level of service
for direct accounts at GS Bank differs from what is offered through such Bank Deposit Cash Sweep.
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Trust Companies. GSTC and GSTD provide personal trust and estate administration and related services
to certain clients. GS&Co. and its affiliates provide a variety of services to GSTC and GSTD, including
investment advisory, sub-advisory, brokerage, distribution, marketing, operational, infrastructure, financial,
auditing, and administrative services. Goldman Sachs receives fees from GSTC and GSTD according to
the fee schedules agreed upon between the parties in arm’s-length service agreements. The Adviser
recommends that clients appoint GSTC or GSTD as a trustee.
Insurance Company or Agency
The Adviser’s affiliate, ASA (and previously ASIA) engages in the insurance agency business for purposes
of selling, brokering and co-brokering, including, but not limited to, life insurance policies and annuity
contracts (both fixed and variable) and long-term care and disability insurance contracts for separate
compensation. ASA and ASIA also provide agent of record servicing of insurance contracts. ASA and ASIA
participate or participated in the distribution of insurance securities through an insurance networking
agreement with Mercer Allied. Commissions are paid to ASA, ASIA and Mercer Allied by insurance
companies for the placement and distribution of insurance and annuity products. These commissions are
paid to ASA, ASIA or Mercer Allied for acting as an insurance producer, retail distributor and/or wholesale
distributor. In addition, compensation from the insurance companies might also include various incentives
in addition to standard commissions or referral fees, including contingent commissions, and other awards
and bonuses, such as trips, expense allowances, marketing allowances, training and education. Incentive
or contingent compensation is based upon a variety of factors including the level of aggregated premiums,
client retention, revenue growth, overall profitability, or other performance measures pre-established by
insurance companies. This incentive or contingent compensation is not tied to any individual transaction.
In limited circumstances, ASA, ASIA or Mercer Allied receive compensation from insurance companies in
the form of servicing or distribution fees for these products.
Different compensation arrangements are in place for ASA, ASIA, Mercer Allied and their affiliates and
individual Wealth Advisors for the same or similar insurance products depending on the relationship
between the insurance company and agency that sold the insurance product, and the affiliate and Wealth
Advisors. If Wealth Advisors can refer a client to any of ASA, Mercer Allied or to any third party for the
purchase of an insurance product, these different compensation arrangements create a conflict of interest.
Advisory clients are not obligated to use the Adviser’s affiliated persons to purchase insurance or annuities.
The Adviser compensates certain licensed Wealth Advisors and make payments as directed by GS&Co. to
such personnel of GS&Co., for referring clients to ASA. In some instances, Wealth Advisors are not
compensated directly for such referrals but the referral may contribute to overall company profitability which
could impact any discretionary bonus paid to such Wealth Advisors. The compensation received by the
Adviser and such personnel varies and is dependent on the insurance company and product purchased.
Such compensation creates a conflict of interest that gives the Adviser and such Wealth Advisors and
GS&Co. personnel an incentive to recommend such insurance policies and annuities, based on the
compensation received.
Recommendations to purchase or exchange insurance products are made by the Adviser’s personnel solely
in their capacity as licensed insurance agents or, in the case of variable annuities or variable insurance
products, in their capacity as registered representatives of Mercer Allied and such recommendation does
not result in an investment advisory relationship with the Adviser or any affiliate, and neither the Adviser
nor any affiliate has a corresponding fiduciary duty with respect to such clients with respect to such
recommendation. The Adviser’s affiliates do not use any separate investment advisory agreement when
distributing insurance. See Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss for a
description of services related to Variable Subaccounts.
Certain life insurance policies and annuity contracts, including Variable Products, offer an allocation option
reflecting the performance of an Index (defined below) sponsored by or otherwise supported by the
Adviser’s affiliates. The Adviser’s affiliates receive compensation if any portion of the policy or contract’s
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account value is allocated to that option. Such compensation is not paid to the Adviser, Mercer Allied, ASA,
ASIA or any Wealth Advisor.
ASA and ASIA continue to provide agent of record services to certain policy owners, including those who
have terminated their financial management services or Advisory Accounts. However, such agent of record
services are primarily administrative, and do not include any fiduciary advice, including investment advice
or education related to separate accounts underlying Variable Products or otherwise. The Adviser, ASA
and ASIA have overlapping officers and share office space and expenses.
Sponsor or Syndicator of Limited Partnerships
Goldman Sachs establishes unregistered privately placed vehicles in which clients invest and distributes
securities issued by such vehicles. GS&Co. and its affiliates generally receive fees in connection therewith.
Trustee Activities
The Adviser and Wealth Advisors generally will not assume a position of trust for a client or client account,
such as being named executor or trustee for a client account, or holding power of attorney on a client’s
behalf. This exclusion does not include accounts for clients who are family members of the Wealth Advisors;
in which case the Wealth Advisors will serve as trustee for a family member’s account.
Management Persons; Policies and Procedures
Certain of the Adviser’s management persons also hold positions with one or more Goldman Sachs
affiliates. In these positions, those management persons of the Adviser have certain responsibilities with
respect to the business of these affiliates and the compensation of these management persons may be
based, in part, upon the profitability of these affiliates. Consequently, in carrying out their roles at the Adviser
and these affiliates, the management persons of the Adviser are subject to the same or similar potential
conflicts of interest that exist between the Adviser and these affiliates.
The Adviser has established a variety of restrictions, policies, procedures and disclosures designed to
address potential conflicts that arise between the Adviser, its management persons and its affiliates. These
policies and procedures include: information barriers designed to prevent the flow of information between
the Adviser, its personnel and certain other affiliates; policies and procedures relating to brokerage
selection, trading with affiliates or investing in products managed or sponsored by affiliates; and allocation
and trade sequencing policies applicable to Accounts (as defined below). No assurance can be made that
any of the Adviser’s current policies and procedures, or any policies and procedures that are established
by the Adviser in the future, will have their desired effect.
Additional information about these conflicts and the policies and procedures designed to address them is
available in Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading.
Affiliated Indexes
Goldman Sachs has in the past, and may in the future, develop, co-develop, own and operate stock market
and other indexes (each, an “Index”) based on investment and trading strategies and concepts developed
by Goldman Sachs or co-developed by Goldman Sachs and a third-party (“GSAM Strategies”). Goldman
Sachs has entered into, and may in the future enter into, a revenue sharing arrangement with a third-party
co-developer of an Index pursuant to which Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the fees generated from
licensing the right to use the Index or components thereof to third parties. Some of the ETFs for which
GSAM or its affiliates act as investment adviser (the “GSAM ETFs”) seek to track the performance of an
Index. The Adviser, from time to time, manages Advisory Accounts that invest in these GSAM ETFs, which
may facilitate the GSAM ETFs achieving a specified size or scale. Goldman Sachs may make payments to
an investor that contributes seed capital to a GSAM ETF. Such payments may continue for a specified
period of time and/or until a specified dollar amount is reached, and will be made from the assets of
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Goldman Sachs (and not the applicable GSAM ETF). Seed investors may contribute all or a majority of the
assets in a GSAM ETF. There is a risk that such seed investors may redeem their investments in the GSAM
ETF, particularly after payments from Goldman Sachs have ceased. Such redemptions could have a
significant negative impact on the GSAM ETF, including on its liquidity and the market price of its shares.
Goldman Sachs has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to address potential conflicts that
arise in connection with Goldman Sachs’ operation of the Indexes, the GSAM ETFs and the Advisory
Accounts. Goldman Sachs has established certain information barriers and other policies designed to
address the sharing of information between different businesses within Goldman Sachs, including with
respect to personnel responsible for maintaining the Indexes and those involved in decision-making for the
ETFs. In addition, as described in Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading, the Adviser has adopted a code of ethics.
Growth Through Acquisitions
Goldman Sachs intends to grow organically, as well as inorganically, through acquisitions. In the future,
Goldman Sachs may acquire advisers and/or their business lines that may further expand the depth and
breadth of its advisory business.
Receipt of Compensation from Investment Advisers
The Adviser may select, or recommend that clients allocate assets to, one or more Accounts or funds
managed by one or more Affiliated Managers or Unaffiliated Managers, as each is defined in Item 4 –
Advisory Business – Investment Management Services. The ability to recommend both Affiliated Managers
and Unaffiliated Managers creates potential conflicts for the Adviser and could impact its decisions
regarding Manager selection when affiliation is considered by the Adviser, among other factors, in deciding
whether to make Managers available to clients, to increase client investments with Managers, and to retain
or withdraw client investments from Managers. The Adviser receives compensation in connection with
clients’ investments, in and selection of and recommendation of such Accounts or funds, and such
compensation creates a conflict of interest.
For example, Goldman Sachs receives various forms of compensation, including fees, commissions,
payments, rebates, remuneration, services or other benefits (including benefits relating to investment and
business relationships of Goldman Sachs) from Unaffiliated Managers and their affiliates. Therefore,
investments by Advisory Accounts with Unaffiliated Managers (where Goldman Sachs participates in the
fee and/or profit sharing arrangement or other interest in the equity or profits of Unaffiliated Managers) will
result in additional compensation to Goldman Sachs. Subject to applicable law, (and excluding Retirement
Accounts), the amount of such compensation, including fees, commissions, payments, rebates,
remuneration, services or other benefits to Goldman Sachs, or the value of Goldman Sachs’ interests in
the Unaffiliated Managers or their businesses, varies by Unaffiliated Manager and will generally be greater
if the Adviser selects or recommends certain Unaffiliated Managers over other Unaffiliated Managers, as
described below.
In addition, as a major participant in global financial markets providing a wide range of financial services,
Goldman Sachs provides various services or has business dealings, arrangements or agreements with
affiliates and portfolio companies of Unaffiliated Managers. The Adviser will face potential conflicts in
making determinations as to whether one or more Advisory Accounts should invest or withdraw funds from
Unaffiliated Managers (or underlying funds they manage or advise) with which Goldman Sachs has such
relationships. In certain cases, Goldman Sachs or other Accounts have equity, profits or other interests in
Unaffiliated Managers or have entered into arrangements with such Unaffiliated Managers in which such
Unaffiliated Managers would share with Goldman Sachs or other Accounts a material portion of its fees or
allocations. Such revenue sharing arrangements exist in situations that include, without limitation, where
Unaffiliated Managers earn fees as a result of the allocation of Advisory Account assets to such Unaffiliated
Managers or where such Unaffiliated Managers manage an External Product that invests in Affiliated
Products. Payments to Goldman Sachs (either directly from Unaffiliated Managers (or underlying funds
they manage or advise) or in the form of fees or allocations payable by client accounts) will generally
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increase as the amount of assets that Managers manage increases. Therefore, investment by Advisory
Accounts with such Unaffiliated Managers (or underlying funds they manage or advise) where Goldman
Sachs or other Accounts have a fee and/or profit sharing arrangement or other interest in the equity or
profits of such Unaffiliated Managers generally results in additional revenues to Goldman Sachs and its
personnel. The relationship that Goldman Sachs and other Accounts have with such Unaffiliated Managers
(or their portfolio companies or affiliates) generally also results in the Adviser being incentivized to increase
Advisory Accounts’ investments with such Unaffiliated Managers or to retain their investments with such
Unaffiliated Managers (or underlying funds they manage or advise). Except to the extent required by
applicable law, the Adviser will not account to a client for or offset any compensation received by Goldman
Sachs against fees and expenses the client otherwise owes Goldman Sachs.
Because Goldman Sachs will, on an overall basis, receive higher fees, compensation and other benefits if
client assets are allocated to Affiliated Managers, including Accounts or investment funds managed by
Goldman Sachs, such as GSAM and GSAMI, the Adviser has an incentive to allocate or recommend the
assets of Advisory Accounts to Affiliated Managers. For particular asset classes or investment strategies,
the Adviser’s advisory program may not have Unaffiliated Managers, or may have fewer Unaffiliated
Managers than Affiliated Managers; accordingly, any allocations to such an asset class or investment
strategy will more likely be made to Affiliated Managers, including GSAM or GSAMI.
Clients should expect that Goldman Sachs and its Personnel will have interests in Managers or their
affiliates, or have business relationships or act as counterparties with Unaffiliated Managers of their
affiliates, including, for example, in Goldman Sachs’ prime brokerage, trade execution and investment
banking businesses. The Adviser will be incentivized to make available, allocate assets to, and refrain from
withdrawing assets from Unaffiliated Managers whose principals or employees are clients of Goldman
Sachs. In addition, Goldman Sachs has investments in selected Managers or their affiliates.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs receives notice of, or offers to participate in, investment opportunities
from Unaffiliated Managers, their affiliates, or other third parties. Such investment opportunities are offered
to Goldman Sachs for various reasons, which include business relationships with Unaffiliated Managers
and their affiliates or other reasons, including that one or more Advisory Accounts have made investments
with such Unaffiliated Managers. Such opportunities will generally not be required to be allocated to such
Advisory Accounts. Investment (or continued investment) by particular Advisory Accounts with such
Unaffiliated Managers may result in additional investment opportunities for Goldman Sachs or other
Accounts.
Certain Advisory Accounts (other than Retirement Plans) that allocate assets to Managers do not pay
compensation to the Managers. Instead, the Managers are compensated by the Adviser out of
compensation the Adviser receives from the client. In such circumstances, any reduction in the
compensation payable to the Managers will inure to the benefit of the Adviser, and not to the client. This
fee structure incentivizes the Adviser to recommend or select Managers with lower compensation levels
including Managers that discount their fees based on aggregate Account size or other relationships in order
to increase the net fee to the Adviser, and not recommend or select other Managers that might also be
appropriate for the Advisory Accounts. Except for Retirement Accounts, it should be expected that the
amount of the fee retained by Goldman Sachs will be affected by Goldman Sachs’ business relationships
and the size of Accounts other than a particular Advisory Account, and will directly or indirectly benefit
Goldman Sachs and other client accounts. Clients are not entitled to receive any portion of such benefits
received by Goldman Sachs or other client accounts.
As described above, certain Unaffiliated Managers discount their fees based on aggregate account size,
and permit Goldman Sachs to aggregate the amount of assets allocated to such Unaffiliated Managers
across all Advisory Accounts within the same strategy in order to receive discounted fees. In general, this
results in a reduction in compensation payable to the Unaffiliated Managers by Advisory Accounts.
However, actions taken by Goldman Sachs on behalf of one or more of such Advisory Accounts could
adversely impact the other Advisory Accounts that invest with the same Unaffiliated Managers. For
example, in the event Goldman Sachs causes one or more Advisory Accounts to reduce the amount of
assets allocated to an Unaffiliated Manager, the remaining Advisory Accounts may no longer qualify for
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discounted fees in which case the compensation payable to such Unaffiliated Manager by such remaining
Advisory Accounts would increase. On the other hand, causing a new Advisory Account to invest with an
Unaffiliated Manager could reduce the fees paid by Advisory Accounts that already have an investment
with the Unaffiliated Manager.
The Adviser addresses these conflicts of interest in a manner that is consistent with its fiduciary duties. In
particular, the Adviser limits the conflicts of interest associated with selecting between the Third-Party
Funds and affiliated mutual funds by seeking to implement a compensation structure where the
compensation paid to Wealth Advisors does not vary based on whether the Advisory Account invests in a
Third-Party Fund or an affiliated fund in the same asset class.
ITEM 11 – CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND
PERSONAL TRADING
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
The Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics (“Code”) under Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act designed to
provide that Wealth Advisors, and certain additional personnel who support the Adviser comply with
applicable federal securities laws and place the interests of clients first in conducting personal securities
transactions. The Code imposes certain restrictions on securities transactions in the personal accounts of
covered persons to help avoid conflicts of interest. Subject to the limitations of the Code, covered persons
buy and sell securities or other investments for their personal accounts, including investments in pooled
investment vehicles that are sponsored, managed or advised by Goldman Sachs, and also take positions
that are the same as, different from, or made at different times than, positions taken (directly or indirectly)
for Advisory Accounts. The Adviser provides a copy of the Code to clients or prospective clients upon
request.
Additionally, all personnel of the Adviser, including Wealth Advisors, are subject to firm-wide policies and
procedures regarding confidential and proprietary information, information barriers, private investments,
outside business activities and personal trading. The Adviser requires pre-clearance of certain personal
securities transactions, both public and private, by Wealth Advisors and the Adviser can deny any such
transaction in its discretion. In addition, the Adviser prohibits its employees from accepting gifts and
entertainment that could influence or appear to influence, their business judgment. This generally includes
gifts of more than $300 or meals and other business-related entertainment that may be considered lavish
or extraordinary and therefore raise a question or appearance of impropriety.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Goldman Sachs is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and
financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it provides a
wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations,
financial institutions, governments, and individuals. Goldman Sachs acts as broker-dealer, investment
adviser, investment banker, underwriter, research provider, administrator, financier, adviser, market maker,
trader, prime broker, derivatives dealer, clearing agent, lender, custodian counterparty, agent, principal,
distributor, investor or in other commercial capacities for accounts or companies or affiliated or unaffiliated
funds in which certain Advisory Accounts have an interest. In those and other capacities, Goldman Sachs
advises and deals with clients and third parties in all markets and transactions and purchases, sells, holds
and recommends a broad array of investments, including securities, derivatives, loans, commodities,
currencies, credit default swaps, indices, baskets and other financial instruments and products for its own
accounts and for the accounts of clients and of its Personnel. In addition, Goldman Sachs has direct and
indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equities, bank loan and other markets.
In certain cases, Goldman Sachs causes Advisory Accounts to invest in products and strategies sponsored,
managed or advised by Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs has an interest, either directly or
indirectly, or otherwise restricts Advisory Accounts from making such investments, as further described
herein. In this regard, there are instances when Goldman Sachs’ activities and dealings with other clients
and third parties affect Advisory Accounts in ways that disadvantage Advisory Accounts and/or benefit
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Goldman Sachs or other Accounts (including Advisory Accounts). Additionally, as described below, the
Adviser faces conflicts of interest arising out of Goldman Sachs’ relationships and business dealings in
connection with decisions to take or refrain from taking certain actions on behalf of Advisory Accounts when
doing so would be adverse to Goldman Sachs’ relationships or other business dealings with such parties.
See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests below. The following are descriptions of certain
conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest that are associated with the financial or other interests
that Goldman Sachs and have in advising or dealing with other clients (including other Advisory Accounts)
or third parties or in acting on its own behalf. The conflicts herein do not purport to be a complete list or
explanation of the conflicts associated with the financial or other interests the Adviser or Goldman Sachs
may have now or in the future. Prior to making an investment in a pooled investment vehicle, prospective
investors are encouraged to read the offering materials relating to such pooled investment vehicle.
Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple Commercial Capacities
to such business relationships, and/or
Goldman Sachs faces conflicts of interest in providing and selecting services for Advisory Accounts
because Goldman Sachs provides many services and has many commercial relationships with companies
and affiliated and unaffiliated funds (or their applicable personnel). In this regard, Goldman Sachs could
provide custody, distribution, transfer agency, administrative, lending or other services to Advisory
Accounts, an underlying fund or a company in which an Advisory Account has an interest. In addition, a
company in which an Advisory Account has an interest (or in which an Advisory Account acquires an interest
in the future) may hire Goldman Sachs to provide underwriting, merger advisory, other financial advisory,
placement agency, foreign currency or other hedging, research, asset management services, brokerage
services or other services to the company. Furthermore, Goldman Sachs sponsors, manages, advises or
provides services to affiliated and unaffiliated funds (or their personnel) in which Advisory Accounts invest
and also provides guarantees with respect to certain fixed income investment products in which certain
Advisory Accounts may invest. In addition, Goldman Sachs may simultaneously provide the same or
different services to a portfolio company and certain personnel thereof. In connection with such commercial
relationships and services, Goldman Sachs receives fees, compensation and remuneration that should be
expected to be substantial, as well as other benefits. For example, providing such services enhances
Goldman Sachs’ relationships with various parties, facilitate additional business development and enable
Goldman Sachs to obtain additional business and/or generate additional revenue. Advisory Accounts will
not be entitled to compensation related to any such benefit to businesses of Goldman Sachs, including the
Adviser. In addition, such relationships may have an adverse impact on Advisory Accounts, including, for
example, by restricting potential investment opportunities, as described below, incentivizing Goldman
Sachs to take or refrain from taking certain actions on behalf of Advisory Accounts when doing so would
influencing Goldman Sachs’ selection or
be adverse
recommendation of certain investment products and/or strategies over others. See also Item 11 – Allocation
of Investment Opportunities below.
In connection with providing such services, Goldman Sachs takes commercial steps in its own interest, or
advises the parties to which it is providing services, or takes other actions any of which may have an
adverse effect on an Advisory Account. Such actions may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, Goldman
Sachs is incentivized to cause Advisory Accounts to invest, directly or indirectly, in securities, bank loans
or other obligations of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs, advised by Goldman Sachs (including the
Adviser) or in which Goldman Sachs or Accounts (including Advisory Accounts) have an equity, debt or
other interest, or to engage in investment transactions that may result in Goldman Sachs or other Accounts
(including through other Advisory Accounts) being relieved of obligations or otherwise divested of
investments. Similarly, certain Advisory Accounts acquire securities or indebtedness of a company affiliated
with Goldman Sachs directly or indirectly through syndicate or secondary market purchases, or make a
loan to, or purchase securities from, a company that uses the proceeds to repay loans made by Goldman
Sachs. These activities by an Advisory Account may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs or other
Accounts (including Advisory Accounts) with respect to their investment in and activities relating to such
companies. Advisory Accounts will not be entitled to compensation as a result of this enhanced profitability.
Goldman Sachs may also be incentivized to provide products or services to the employees, members or
participants of certain Corporate Partners at much lower or fee-waived rates because of certain tangible or
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intangible benefits Goldman Sachs may receive or other relationships Goldman Sachs may have with such
Corporate Partner. Such lower or fee-waived rates are not made available to other clients.
Providing such services may also have an adverse effect on Advisory Accounts. For example, Goldman
Sachs makes loans to, and enters into margin, asset-based or other credit facilities or similar transactions
with, clients, companies, individuals, or Managers or their affiliates that are secured by publicly or privately
held securities or other assets, including by a client’s assets or interests in an Advisory Account. Some of
these borrowers are public or private companies, or founders, officers, or shareholders in companies in
which Goldman Sachs, funds managed by Goldman Sachs, or Advisory Accounts or other Accounts
(directly or indirectly) invest, and such loans may be secured by securities of such companies, which may
be the same as, pari passu with, or more senior or junior to, interests held (directly or indirectly) by Goldman
Sachs, funds managed by Goldman Sachs, Advisory Accounts or other Accounts. For example, Goldman
Sachs has in the past extended, and expects to continue to extend, loans to persons who own and/or
control the management companies and/or general partners of underlying funds in which Advisory Accounts
invest (such loans, “Management Loans”). Management Loans in some cases are collateralized by
management company interests, general partner interests, limited partner interests, carried interest
allocations, and/or other securities or contractual rights relating to underlying funds in which Advisory
Accounts invest. In connection with its rights as lender, Goldman Sachs acts to protect its own commercial
interest and may take actions that adversely affect the borrower, including by liquidating or causing the
liquidation of securities on behalf of a borrower, or foreclosing and liquidating such securities in Goldman
Sachs’ own name, or assuming control over the relevant collateral. Goldman Sachs will be under no
obligation to consider the interests of Advisory Accounts (even Advisory Accounts that have direct or
indirect investments in the underlying fund(s) that served as collateral in whole or in part for a particular
Management Loan). Such actions will adversely affect Advisory Accounts (if, for example, a large position
in securities is liquidated, among the other potential adverse consequences, the value of such security
declines rapidly and Advisory Accounts holding (directly or indirectly) such security in turn declines in value
or are unable to liquidate their positions in such security at an advantageous price or at all). With respect
to Management Loans, the exercise of Goldman Sachs’ remedies could result in changes to the ownership,
management or control of one or more underlying funds, potentially affecting the performance, strategy, or
operations of Advisory Accounts that invest in such underlying funds. For a discussion of certain additional
conflicts associated with Goldman Sachs or clients, on the one hand, and a particular Advisory Account,
on the other hand, investing in or extending credit to different parts of the capital structure of a single issuer,
see Item 11 – Investments in and Advice Regarding Different Parts of an Issuer’s Capital Structure below.
Actions taken or advised to be taken by Goldman Sachs in connection with other types of services and
transactions may also result in adverse consequences for Advisory Accounts. For example, if Goldman
Sachs advises a company to make changes to its capital structure the result could be a reduction in the
value or priority of a security held (directly or indirectly) by Advisory Accounts. For more information in this
regard, see Item 11 – Investments in and Advice Regarding Different Parts of an Issuer’s Capital Structure
below. In addition, underwriters, placement agents or managers of IPOs, including GS&Co., often require
clients who hold privately placed securities of a company to execute a lock-up agreement prior to such
company’s IPO restricting the resale of the securities for a period of time before and following the IPO. As
a result, the Adviser will be restricted from selling the securities in such clients’ Advisory Accounts at a more
favorable price.
Certain of Goldman Sachs’ activities on behalf of its clients also restrict investment opportunities that are
otherwise available to Advisory Accounts. For example, Goldman Sachs is often engaged by companies
as a financial advisor, or to provide financing or other services, in connection with commercial transactions
that are potential investment opportunities for Advisory Accounts. There are circumstances in which
Advisory Accounts are precluded from participating in such transactions as a result of Goldman Sachs’
engagement by such companies. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to act for these companies in such
circumstances, notwithstanding the potential adverse effect on Advisory Accounts.
In addition, in connection with an equity offering of securities of a portfolio company for which Goldman
Sachs is acting as an underwriter, Advisory Accounts will, in certain instances, be subject to regulatory
restrictions (in addition to contractual restrictions) on their ability to sell equity securities of the portfolio
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company for a period after completion of the offering. Goldman Sachs represents creditor or debtor
companies in proceedings under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (and equivalent non-U.S.
bankruptcy laws). From time to time, Goldman Sachs serves on creditor or equity committees. It should be
expected that these actions, for which Goldman Sachs may be compensated, will limit or preclude the
flexibility that the Advisory Account otherwise has to buy or sell securities issued by those companies.
Please also refer to Firm Policies, Regulatory Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting Advisory
Accounts, below.
In addition, Goldman Sachs is expected to gather information in the course of such other activities and
relationships about companies in which a client holds or may in the future hold an interest. In the event that
Goldman Sachs is consulted in connection with opportunities with respect to these companies, Goldman
Sachs shall have no obligation to disclose such information, any other non-public information which is
otherwise subject to an obligation of confidence to another person, or the fact that Goldman Sachs is in
possession of such information, to the client or to use such information on the client’s behalf. As a result of
actual or potential conflicts, Goldman Sachs may not be able to provide a client with information or certain
services with respect to a particular opportunity. See also Item 11 – Considerations Relating to Information
Held by Goldman Sachs below.
Potential Conflicts Related to Lending and Loan Syndication
Goldman Sachs operates in the debt markets, including the leveraged finance markets, and is an active
arranger of senior and mezzanine financings in the syndicated loan market and the high yield market for
financing acquisitions, recapitalizations and other transactions. From time to time, an Advisory Account will
invest in transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts as arranger and receives fees in connection with these
financings. In certain instances, an Advisory Account will purchase loans and/or debt securities and receive
representations and warranties directly from the borrower, while in other instances, an Advisory Account
will need to rely on a private placement memorandum from Goldman Sachs or others, and purchase such
loans and/or debt securities at different times and/or terms than other purchasers of such loans. When an
Advisory Account purchases such loans from Goldman Sachs and Goldman Sachs receives a fee from a
borrower or an issuer for placing such loans and/or debt securities with an Advisory Account, certain
conflicts of interest arise.
Differing Advice and Competing Interests
It should be expected that advice given to, or investment decisions made or other actions taken for, one or
more Advisory Accounts will compete with, affect, differ from, conflict with, or involve timing different from,
advice given to or investment decisions made for other Accounts, including Advisory Accounts. Goldman
Sachs, the clients it advises, and its personnel have interests in and advise Accounts, including Advisory
Accounts, that have investment objectives or portfolios similar to, related to or opposed to those of particular
Advisory Accounts. In this regard, it should be expected that Goldman Sachs makes investment decisions
for such Accounts that are different from the investment decisions made for Advisory Accounts and that
adversely impact Advisory Accounts, as described below. In addition, Goldman Sachs, the clients it advises,
and its personnel engage (or consider engaging) in commercial arrangements or transactions with
Accounts, and/or compete for commercial arrangements or transactions or invest in the same types of
companies, assets, securities and other instruments, as particular Advisory Accounts. Such arrangements,
transactions or investments adversely affect such Advisory Accounts by, for example, limiting clients’ ability
to engage in such activity or by effecting the pricing or terms of such arrangements, transactions or
investments. Moreover, a particular Advisory Account on the one hand, and Goldman Sachs or other
Accounts (including other Advisory Accounts) on the other hand, may vote differently on, or take or refrain
from taking different actions with respect to, the same security, that disadvantages the Advisory Account.
Where Goldman Sachs receives greater fees or other compensation from such Accounts than the Adviser
does from the particular Advisory Accounts, Goldman Sachs, including through the Adviser, will be
incentivized to favor such Accounts.
It should be expected that other Accounts (including Advisory Accounts) engage in a strategy while an
Advisory Account is undertaking the same or a differing strategy, any of which could directly or indirectly
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disadvantage the Advisory Account (including its ability to engage in a transaction or other activities). For
example, if an Advisory Account buys a security, and Goldman Sachs or a Goldman Sachs client
establishes a short position in that same security or in similar securities, any such short position may result
in the impairment of the price of the security that the Advisory Account holds or could be designed to profit
from a decline in the price of the security. An Advisory Account could similarly be adversely impacted if it
establishes a short position, following which Goldman Sachs or a Goldman Sachs client takes a long
position in the same security or in similar securities. Similarly, where Goldman Sachs is engaged to provide
advice to a client that is considering entering into a transaction with a particular Advisory Account, and
Goldman Sachs advises the client not to pursue the transaction with the particular Advisory Account, or
otherwise in connection with a potential transaction provides advice to the client, it should be expected that
this will be adverse to the particular Advisory Account.
Clients may be offered (or may already have) access to advisory services through several different
Goldman Sachs affiliates (including through the Adviser, GS&Co., and GSAM). Different advisory
businesses within Goldman Sachs manage Accounts according to different strategies and apply different
criteria to the same or similar strategies and have differing investment views with respect to an issuer or a
security or other investment. Similarly, Advisory Personnel can have differing or opposite investment views
in respect of an issuer or a security, and as a result some or all of the positions Advisory Personnel take
with respect to an Advisory Account will be inconsistent with, or adverse to, the interests and activities of
Advisory Accounts advised by other Advisory Personnel. Moreover, research, analyses or viewpoints will
be available to clients or potential clients at different times. Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation to
make available to Advisory Accounts any research or analysis at any particular time or prior to its public
dissemination.
The timing of transactions entered into or recommended by Goldman Sachs, on behalf of itself or its clients,
including Advisory Accounts, may negatively impact Advisory Accounts or benefit certain other Accounts,
including other Advisory Accounts. For example, if Goldman Sachs implements an investment decision or
strategy for certain Advisory Accounts ahead of, contemporaneously with, or behind the implementation of
similar investment decisions or strategies for other Advisory Accounts, (whether or not the investment
decisions emanate from the same research analysis or other information), it could result, due to market
impact or other factors, in liquidity constraints or in certain Advisory Accounts receiving less favorable
investment or trading results or incurring increased costs. Similarly, if Goldman Sachs implements an
investment decision or strategy that results in a purchase (or sale) of security for one Advisory Account
such implementation may increase the value of such security already held by another Advisory Account (or
decrease the value of such security that such other Advisory Account intends to purchase), thereby
benefitting such other Advisory Account. Goldman Sachs, in its discretion, in certain circumstances
recommends that certain Accounts have ongoing business dealings, arrangements or agreements with
persons who are (i) former employees of Goldman Sachs, (ii) affiliates or other portfolio companies of
Goldman Sachs or other Accounts, (iii) Goldman Sachs’ employees’ family members and/or relatives and/or
certain of their portfolio companies or (iv) persons otherwise associated with an Account investor, portfolio
company, or service provider. Accounts and/or their investors generally will bear, directly or indirectly, the
costs of such dealings, arrangements or agreements. These recommendations, and recommendations
relating to continuing any such dealings, arrangements or agreements, pose conflicts of interest and may
be based on differing incentives due to Goldman Sachs’ relationships with such persons. In particular, when
acting on behalf of, and making decisions for, Advisory Accounts, the Adviser may take into account
Goldman Sachs’ interests in maintaining its relationships and business dealings with such persons. As a
result, the Adviser faces conflicts of interest arising out of Goldman Sachs’ relationships and business
dealings in connection with decisions to take or refrain from taking certain actions on behalf of Advisory
Accounts when doing so would be adverse to Goldman Sachs’ relationships or other business dealings
with such parties. Additionally, certain Advisory Personnel have family members or relatives that are
actively involved in industries, sectors and companies in which Advisory Accounts invest, which gives rise
to potential or actual conflicts of interest in connection with decisions by Advisory Personnel to take or
refrain from taking certain actions on behalf of Advisory Accounts.
The terms of an investment in an Account formed to facilitate investment by personnel of Goldman Sachs
are typically different from, and more favorable than, those of an investment by a third-party investor in an
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Advisory Account. For example investors in such an Account generally are not subject to management fees
or performance-based compensation, share in the performance-based compensation, will not have their
commitments pledged under a subscription facility, and will receive capital calls, distributions and
information regarding investments at different times than third-party investors, and may receive equity
compensation from underlying portfolio companies. It should be expected that, to the extent permitted by
law, certain investors in such an Account will be provided leverage by Goldman Sachs. In the event of a
substantial decline in the value of such Account’s investments, the leverage, if any, provided to employees
may have the effect of rendering the investments by employees effectively worthless, which could
undermine the potential alignment of interest between employees and third-party investors. In certain
circumstances, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs will offer to purchase, redeem, or liquidate the
interests held by one or more investors in such an Account (potentially on terms advantageous to such
Account’s investors) or to release one or more investors in such an Account from their obligations to fund
capital commitments without offering third-party investors the same or a similar opportunity. Furthermore,
Goldman Sachs personnel may also participate in one or more investments through a co-investment
program or otherwise, which may also affect alignment of interests.
Certain Wealth Advisors have accounts managed by the Adviser and/or invest in the same securities that
are recommended to clients or held in client accounts. Wealth Advisors may also hold securities and are
able to trade for their own accounts contrary to financial guidance provided to clients. If Wealth Advisors
have hired the Adviser to manage their accounts on a discretionary basis, those accounts are traded along
with other client accounts and are not given any different or special treatment.
Conflicts Relating to Strategies Managed by Ayco PMG
Strategies managed by Ayco PMG in some cases are focused on one or more asset classes or strategies
or are limited to certain types of investment products (for example, strategies consisting solely of ETFs or
mutual funds). Strategies provided by Ayco PMG are informed by the strategic allocation framework of ISG.
Such strategies may differ from, and may experience different performance than, strategies or model
portfolios offered by affiliates of the Adviser. If a strategy includes ETFs or mutual funds, in selecting such
products for inclusion, it should be expected that Ayco PMG will select Affiliated Products without
considering External Products or canvassing the universe of External Products, even though there may (or
may not) be one or more External Products that may be more appropriate for inclusion, unless Ayco PMG
determines, in its sole discretion, that an Affiliated Product is not available in the relevant asset class / sub-
asset class. In the event an Affiliated Product is not available in the relevant asset class / sub-asset class,
Ayco PMG may consider certain External Products in its discretion, although Ayco PMG will not canvas the
universe of External Products. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ayco PMG may, but should not be expected
to, consider any External Products. Ayco PMG will not be obligated to, and will not, take into account the
tax status, investment goals or other characteristics of any specific person when compiling the strategies.
To the extent Ayco PMG includes an External Product in a strategy, it generally expects to evaluate such
External Product only from an investment perspective, which will solely consist of a review of the External
Product’s benchmark index, the size of the External Product, tracking error relative to the benchmark index,
performance and liquidity profile as applicable (e.g., market capitalization and average daily trading volume)
and transaction costs, among other factors. See Item 11 – Affiliated Products/External Products below. The
Adviser and/or its affiliates will benefit from the subscription by clients in Affiliated Products because
Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) will generally receive compensation in connection with the
management of Affiliated Funds included in a strategy. The Adviser is incentivized to include Affiliated
Funds in strategies and disincentivized to remove Affiliated Funds. Furthermore, inclusion of Affiliated
Products in strategies raises additional conflicts and risks similar to those described above in this Item 11
– Affiliated Products / External Products below. Additionally, on a limited basis Ayco PMG manages legacy
strategies based on models provided by third parties.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
The Adviser and its Advisory Personnel manage multiple Advisory Accounts, including Advisory Accounts
in which Goldman Sachs and its Personnel have an interest, that pay different fees based on a client’s
particular circumstances, including the size of the relationship and required service levels. This creates an
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incentive to allocate investments with limited availability to the Accounts for which the Adviser and its
Advisory Personnel have an interest or receive higher fees. Such investments may include local and
emerging markets securities, high yield securities, fixed-income securities, interests in Alternative
Investment funds, MLPs and initial public offerings and new issues.
To address these potential conflicts, the Adviser has developed allocation policies and procedures that
provide that Advisory Personnel making portfolio decisions for Advisory Accounts will make investment
decisions for, and allocate investment opportunities among Advisory Accounts consistent with their fiduciary
obligations. In some cases, these policies and procedures could result in the pro rata allocation (on a basis
determined by the Adviser) of limited opportunities across eligible Advisory Accounts, but in other cases
such allocation may not be pro rata. In other cases, the allocations reflect the consideration of numerous
other factors including, but not limited to, those described below. The allocation methodology varies based
on the type of investment opportunity. In some cases, Advisory Accounts managed by different teams of
Advisory Personnel are generally viewed separately for allocation purposes. Furthermore, certain
investment opportunities sourced by the Adviser, or Goldman Sachs businesses or divisions outside of the
Adviser, may be allocated to Goldman Sachs for its own account or investment vehicles organized to
facilitate investment by its current or former directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers,
employees, and their families and related entities, including employee benefit plans in which they
participate, and current consultants and not to client accounts.
Advisory Personnel make allocation-related decisions by reference to one or more factors, including,
without limitation, the client’s overall relationship with the Adviser; Account investment objectives,
investment horizon, financial circumstances and risk tolerance; timing of client’s subscription to or indication
of interest in the investment; the capacity of the investment; whether Advisory Accounts give the Adviser
discretion or request client approval for investments; current and expected future capacity of applicable
Advisory Accounts; prior investment activity; tax sensitivity of Accounts; the client’s domicile; suitability
considerations; the nature of the investment opportunity; cash and liquidity considerations, including,
without limitation, availability of cash for investment; relative sizes and expected future sizes of applicable
Advisory Accounts; availability of other appropriate investment opportunities; legal and regulatory
restrictions affecting certain Advisory Accounts, including client eligibility; minimum denomination, minimum
increments, de minimis threshold and round lot considerations; client-specific investment guidelines and
restrictions; current investments made by clients that are similar to the applicable investment opportunity;
and the time of last trade.
There will be some instances where certain Advisory Accounts receive an allocation while others do not or
where preferential allocations are given to clients with a proven interest or expertise in a certain sector,
company or industry, or for other reasons, including those set forth above. Additionally, certain Wealth
Advisors, as part of their investment style, choose not to participate in IPOs for any clients, choose to
participate in IPOs for clients if they believe such investments are consistent with the client’s investment
objectives and financial circumstances, choose to offer participation to only a small group of clients based
upon criteria, such as assets under management, or choose to adopt another methodology. From time to
time, the Adviser will make allocations to certain Advisory Accounts before other Advisory Accounts based
on a rotational system reasonably designed to treat Advisory Accounts fairly and equitably over time.
As a result of the various considerations above, there will be cases in which certain Advisory Accounts
(including Advisory Accounts in which Goldman Sachs and personnel of Goldman Sachs have an interest)
receive an allocation of an investment opportunity (including an investment opportunity sourced by or
available from GSAM or affiliates of GSAM) at times that other Advisory Accounts do not, or when other
Advisory Accounts receive an allocation of such opportunities but on different terms (which may be less
favorable). In addition, due to regulatory or other considerations, the receipt of an investment opportunity
by certain Advisory Accounts may restrict or limit the ability of other Advisory Accounts to receive an
allocation of the same opportunity. The application of these considerations may cause differences in the
performance of different Advisory Accounts that employ the same or similar strategies.
Certain Advisory Accounts may be unable to participate directly in particular types of investment
opportunities (including those sourced by or available from GSAM or affiliates of GSAM), such as certain
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types of loans, due to the nature and/or size of the Advisory Accounts, or limitations or prohibitions in
applicable loan or transaction documentation. In addition, certain Advisory Accounts may be limited due to
the timing or specific nature of the particular investment opportunity. Such Advisory Accounts may only be
able to access such investment opportunities indirectly through an investment in an Advisory Account that
is a pooled investment vehicle managed by GSAM, which investment would result in additional
management fees and/or performance-based compensation payable to GSAM.
In certain cases, one or more funds or other advisory accounts (“Primary Vehicles”) are intended to be
GSAM’s primary investment vehicles focused on, or receive priority with respect to, a particular strategy or
type of investment (as determined in GSAM’s discretion, and including investments sourced by or available
from GSAM or affiliates of GSAM) as compared to other funds or Advisory Accounts. In such cases, such
other funds or Advisory Accounts may not have access to such strategy or type of investment, or may have
more limited access than would otherwise be the case. For example, access to such strategies or types of
investments may only be available to certain Advisory Account clients through an investment in a Primary
Vehicle, which investment would result in additional management fees and/or performance-based
compensation payable to GSAM. In addition, other Accounts (including Accounts in which Goldman Sachs
and personnel of Goldman Sachs have an interest) participate (through GSAM or through other areas of
Goldman Sachs) in investment opportunities that would be appropriate for such funds or other Advisory
Accounts. Participation by such Accounts in such transactions may reduce or eliminate the availability of
investment opportunities to, or otherwise adversely affect, Advisory Accounts. Furthermore, in cases in
which one or more funds or other advisory accounts are intended to be GSAM’s primary investment vehicles
focused on, or receive priority with respect to, a particular trading strategy or type of investment, such funds
or other advisory accounts have specific policies or guidelines with respect to Advisory Accounts, other
Accounts or other persons receiving the opportunity to invest alongside such funds or other advisory
accounts with respect to one or more investments (“Co-Investment Opportunities”). As a result, certain
Advisory Accounts, other Accounts or other persons will receive allocations to, or rights to invest in, Co-
Investment Opportunities that are not available generally to other Advisory Accounts.
Further, the Adviser or its affiliates, under limited circumstances, use model portfolios and research or
research lists, including those provided by GSAM or third parties, when managing Advisory Accounts.
Certain Advisory Accounts have the opportunity to evaluate or act upon recommendations (including
recommendations in model portfolios) before other Advisory Accounts, including those advised by the same
adviser providing the recommendations and other personnel may have already begun to trade based upon
the recommendations. As a result, trades ultimately placed on behalf of Advisory Accounts based upon
such recommendations are subject to price movements, particularly with orders that are large in relation to
the security’s trading volume. In these circumstances, it should be expected that Advisory Accounts that
act on recommendations later will receive less favorable prices than were obtained for other accounts. This
could occur because of time zone differences or other reasons that cause orders to be placed at different
times. In addition, model portfolios available through Goldman Sachs affiliates might not be available
through the Adviser, and vice versa, and might experience different performance than other model
portfolios. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests above. See also Item 12 – Brokerage
Practices – Aggregation of Orders for information regarding the allocation of securities or proceeds relating
to orders that are executed on an aggregated basis.
From time to time, some or all Advisory Accounts are offered investment opportunities that are made
available through Goldman Sachs businesses outside of the Adviser, including, for example, interests in
real estate and other private investments. In this regard, a conflict of interest will exist to the extent that
Goldman Sachs controls or otherwise influences the terms and pricing of such investments and/or receives
fees or other benefits in connection therewith. Please see Item 11 – Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple
Commercial Capacities above. Goldman Sachs businesses outside of the Adviser are under no general or
other obligation or duty to provide investment opportunities to any Advisory Accounts, and generally are
not expected to do so.
Further, opportunities sourced by particular portfolio management teams within the Adviser may not be
allocated to Advisory Accounts managed by such teams or by other teams. It should be expected that
opportunities not allocated (or not fully allocated) to Advisory Accounts will be undertaken by Goldman
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Sachs, including for Accounts, or made available to other Accounts or third parties. See Item 11 – Differing
Advice and Competing Interests above. Even in the case of an opportunity received by an Advisory Account
pursuant to contractual requirements, the Adviser may decide in its discretion that the Advisory Account
will not participate in such opportunity for portfolio construction reasons, due to the terms of such Advisory
Account, or because the Adviser determines that participation would not be appropriate for such Advisory
Account for other reasons, in which case the Adviser may allocate such opportunity to another Advisory
Account.
Principal Trading and Cross/Agency Cross Transactions with Advisory Accounts
When permitted by applicable law and the Adviser’s policy, the Adviser, acting on behalf of its Advisory
Accounts (for example, those employing taxable fixed income, municipal bond fixed income and structured
investment strategies), may (but is under no obligation or duty to) enter into transactions in securities and
other instruments with or through Goldman Sachs or in Affiliated Products, and cause Advisory Accounts
to engage in principal transactions, cross transactions and agency cross transactions. A principal
transaction occurs when the Adviser, on behalf of an Advisory Account, engages in a transaction in
securities or other instruments with Goldman Sachs or in Affiliated Products acting as principal. In certain
cases, Goldman Sachs earns compensation (such as a spread or mark-up) in connection with these
transactions. Cross transactions occur if the Adviser causes an Advisory Account to buy securities or other
instruments from, or sell securities or other instruments to, another Advisory Account or an advisory client
Account of a Goldman Sachs affiliate. An agency cross transaction occurs when Goldman Sachs acts as
broker for an Advisory Account on one side of the transaction and a brokerage account or another Advisory
Account on the other side of the transaction in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by the
Advisory Account. Goldman Sachs receives a commission from such agency cross transactions.
There are potential conflicts of interest, regulatory considerations or restrictions identified in the Adviser’s
internal polices relating to these transactions which could limit the Adviser’s determination and/or ability to
engage in these transactions for Advisory Accounts. In certain circumstances such as when Goldman
Sachs is the only or one of a few participants in a particular market or is one of the largest such participants,
such limitations will eliminate or reduce the availability of certain investment opportunities to Advisory
Accounts or impact the price or terms on which transactions relating to such investment opportunities may
be effected.
In certain circumstances, Goldman Sachs will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase or sell
securities on behalf of an Advisory Account as a “riskless principal.” For instance, Goldman Sachs may
purchase securities from a third party with the knowledge that an Advisory Account is interested in
purchasing those securities and immediately sell the purchased securities to such Advisory Account. In
addition, in certain instances, an Advisory Account may request Goldman Sachs to purchase a security as
a principal and issue a participation or similar interest to the Advisory Account in order to comply with
applicable local regulatory requirements. Goldman Sachs also serves as clearing agent for other Goldman
Sachs clients that act as counterparty to trades for Advisory Accounts, and Goldman Sachs will earn a fee
for these clearing services. See Item 11 – Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple Commercial Capacities above.
Goldman Sachs will have a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to the parties in
such transactions, including with respect to a decision to enter into such transactions as well as with respect
to valuation, pricing and other terms. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures in relation to such
transactions and conflicts. However, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be effected, or
that such transactions will be effected in the manner that is most favorable to an Advisory Account that is a
party to any such transactions. Cross transactions may disproportionately benefit some Advisory Accounts
relative to other Advisory Accounts due to the relative amount of market savings obtained by the Advisory
Accounts, and cross transactions may be effected at different prices for different Advisory Accounts due to
differing legal and/or regulatory requirements applicable to such Advisory Accounts. Principal, cross or
agency cross transactions are effected in accordance with fiduciary requirements and applicable law (which
include providing disclosure and obtaining client consent, where required). Performance may differ for
clients who do not consent to principal trades. Clients may revoke consent to agency cross transactions at
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any time by written notice to the Adviser, and any such revocation will be effective once the Adviser has
received and has had a reasonable time to act on it.
Affiliated Products / External Products
GS&Co. makes available a range of investment products, including both Affiliated Products and External
Products. There may be, however, certain asset classes for which no External Products are made available.
The decision to offer Affiliated Products or External Products is affected by a variety of factors, including
but not limited to the availability of managers or number of managers GS&Co. considers that offer particular
strategies, products’ investment objectives and performance track records, products’ capacity to accept
new clients, investor concentration, product terms (including investment minimums, management fees, and
expenses), access to Managers as well as Wealth Advisors or other personnel of Goldman Sachs for
discussion with clients, and the specialized nature of the products or strategies.
The universe of products that are made available to Advisory Accounts (including those Advisory Accounts
that invest in Multi-Asset Class or Customized Multi-Asset Class Portfolios) could be limited, including, for
example, (i) because one or more External Products have not been reviewed or approved for investment;
(ii) as a result of internal informational barriers that restrict access to certain information regarding Affiliated
Products, as described below; or (iii) for administrative, practical or other considerations. As a result, there
likely will be one or more products that could have otherwise been selected or recommended for an Advisory
Account but for such limitations, and such other products may be more appropriate or have superior
historical returns than the investment product selected or recommended for the Advisory Account.
In determining which External Products to review for inclusion on the Goldman Sachs platform, Goldman
Sachs sources managers and/or investment opportunities in a variety of ways, including, for example, by
reviewing databases and inbound inquiries from managers, and/or by leveraging relationships that such
managers or other clients already have with other parts of Goldman Sachs’ businesses. Such relationships
give rise to a conflict of interest, as Goldman Sachs is incentivized to select managers from whom Goldman
Sachs receives fees or other benefits, including the opportunity for business development and the additional
revenue that results therefrom. In addition, where Goldman Sachs is compensated more by one manager
over another it is incentivized to choose the higher paying manager. Different parts of Goldman Sachs
source managers and investment opportunities in different ways and based on different considerations.
See Item 11 – Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple Commercial Capacities above.
Before making Affiliated Products or External Products available on the Goldman Sachs platform, various
teams within Goldman Sachs review such products and, in doing so, consider certain factors, including the
operational and reputational risks relating to such products. The focus of certain reviews and the teams
conducting such reviews, however, differ depending on whether the product is an Affiliated Product or an
External Product. In addition, different teams review or screen such products in different ways. With respect
to External Products, certain External Products are reviewed by XIG, while other External Products are
reviewed by other teams within Goldman Sachs. In this regard, XIG reviews External Products that it
sources or that are sourced elsewhere in Goldman Sachs but intended to be offered to or placed with clients
or GSAM covered institutional clients. External Products that are sourced by other groups within Goldman
Sachs and that are intended to be placed with GS&Co.’s Investment Banking and Markets Division would
generally not be reviewed by XIG.
Advisory Personnel utilize different processes for the selection of Affiliated Products and External Products
for inclusion on an investment platform. With respect to External Products reviewed by XIG, such products
undergo a due diligence review designed to assess the investment merits of each product, which includes
a review of the quality of the managers and the likelihood of producing appropriate investment results over
the long term. Applicable investment and operational due diligence committees determine which External
Products are available for investment. Although XIG reviews the performance history of External Products,
none of the Adviser, XIG, or any third-party calculates or audits the information for accuracy, verifies the
appropriateness of the methodology on which the performance is calculated or verifies whether the
performance complies with Global Investment Performance Standards or any other standard for
performance calculation. The methods for calculating performance and forming composites can differ
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among External Products and performance information generally is not calculated on a uniform and
consistent basis. Past performance is not indicative of future results and, as such, prospective clients should
not rely solely on External Product performance information when making an investment decision. XIG
periodically reviews the External Products through interactions with Unaffiliated Managers designed to help
understand the evolution of their views. XIG uses a different process to evaluate ETFs and certain third-
party mutual funds, applying quantitative screens that assess specific factors, including tracking error, total
assets, expense ratio, length of track record and other factors (which may be adjusted periodically). XIG
will not review the entire universe of External Products that may be otherwise appropriate for Goldman
Sachs’ platform. In addition, XIG might not consider any External Product for certain asset classes if an
Affiliated Product is available; as a result, there might be no External Products available for certain asset
classes on the Goldman Sachs platform. External Products that were not reviewed or approved by XIG
could have been more appropriate for a particular Advisory Account or may have had superior historical
returns than the products otherwise made available.
The selection process for Affiliated Products is implemented primarily through a product development
process by teams within Goldman Sachs other than XIG. Because such teams are familiar with and subject
to the framework of Goldman Sachs’ operational infrastructure and internal controls, they are likely,
depending on the investment product, to generally focus more on the specifics of the investment product in
developing such product. As further described below, in determining potential investment products for a
particular Advisory Account, Advisory Personnel select or recommend an Affiliated Product that they may
not have otherwise selected or recommended had the same review process applicable to External Products
been utilized for the Affiliated Product. See also Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and
Risk of Loss – General Risks Applicable to Advisory Accounts – Risks Associated with Investments in
Affiliated Products.
After investment products have been approved for offering by the Adviser, Advisory Personnel determine
which products to select or recommend to clients. When considering potential investment products for a
particular Advisory Account, Advisory Personnel give different weights to different factors depending on the
nature of the client and on whether their review is for an Affiliated Product or for an External Product. Such
factors include quantitative considerations (such as the investment product’s returns and performance
consistency over specified time periods) and qualitative considerations (such as the investment product’s
investment objective and process), which are inherently subjective and include a wide variety of factors.
Advisory Personnel generally consider, for example, without limitation: (i) product-related factors, such as
track record, index comparisons, risk and return assumptions; (ii) the Advisory Personnel experience and
familiarity with particular potential investment products, and, if applicable, the Investment Management
teams managing such investment products or their organizations; (iii) client-driven factors, such as the
client’s investment objective, the effect on the client’s portfolio diversification objectives, consistency with
the client’s asset allocation mode and investment program, and the projected timing of implementation; and
(iv) other factors, such as capacity constraints and minimum investment requirements. It should be
expected that consideration of such factors will not be applied consistently over time or by particular
Advisory Personnel across all Accounts or across different products and may play a greater role in the
review of certain strategies or products while others play no role at all, and the factors are subject to change
from time to time. See also Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests above.
Advisory Personnel may consider qualitative and subjective factors to a greater extent than quantitative
factors when they review an Affiliated Product as compared to an External Product. In such instances,
Affiliated Products and External Products will not be subject to the same review of quantitative and
qualitative characteristics. Accordingly, such Advisory Personnel may recommend or select an Affiliated
Product over an External Product, and, in some cases, the Affiliated Product that was recommended or
selected will not perform as well as the External Product that would have been recommended or selected
had the more quantitative review been applied to both Affiliated Products and External Products.
Other factors affect the review of potential investment products by Advisory Personnel. For example, when
Advisory Personnel review Affiliated Products, they may be restricted from obtaining information they might
otherwise request with respect to such Affiliated Products and their sponsors, managers, or advisers as a
result of internal informational barriers. When Advisory Personnel do not have access to certain information
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with respect to an investment product, they may determine not to consider such investment product for an
Advisory Account, or, conversely, Advisory Personnel may select an investment product for the Advisory
Account notwithstanding that certain material information is unavailable to the Advisory Personnel, each of
which could adversely affect the Advisory Account (e.g., such Affiliated Product could significantly decline
in value, resulting in substantial losses to the Advisory Account). For more information, see Item 11 –
Considerations Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs below.
It should be expected that Advisory Personnel will not review the entire universe of External Products that
are appropriate for an Advisory Account. As a result, there could be one or more External Products that
would be a more appropriate addition to the Advisory Account than the investment product selected by
Advisory Personnel. Such External Products may outperform the investment product selected for the
Advisory Account.
The availability of Affiliated Products versus External Products gives rise to additional conflicts of interest.
Generally, Goldman Sachs receives higher fees, compensation and other benefits, and Advisory Personnel
receive higher compensation, when assets of Advisory Accounts are allocated to Affiliated Products rather
than External Products. The Adviser, therefore, is incentivized to allocate Advisory Account assets to
Affiliated Products, rather than to External Products. Similarly, the Adviser is disincentivized to consider or
recommend the removal of an Advisory Account’s assets from, or the modification of an Advisory Account’s
allocations to, an Affiliated Product at a time that it otherwise would have where doing so would decrease
the fees, compensation and other benefits to Goldman Sachs, including where disposal of such Affiliated
Product by the Advisory Account would likely adversely affect the Affiliated Product with respect to its
liquidity position or otherwise. Moreover, the Adviser has an interest in allocating or recommending the
assets of Advisory Accounts to Affiliated Products that impose higher fees than those imposed by other
Affiliated Products or that provide other benefits to Goldman Sachs. Any differential in compensation paid
to Personnel in connection with certain Affiliated Products rather than other Affiliated Products creates a
financial incentive on the part of the Adviser to select or recommend certain Affiliated Products over other
Affiliated Products. For information regarding fees and compensation, see Item 5 – Fees and
Compensation.
From time to time, the activities of Affiliated Products may be restricted because of regulatory or other
requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the
applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. External Products may or may not be subject to
the same or similar restrictions or requirements, and as a result may outperform Affiliated Products.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs (including GS&Co.) provides opportunities to clients (including Advisory
Accounts) to make investments in Affiliated Products in which certain Advisory Accounts have already
invested. Such follow-on investments can create conflicts of interest, such as the determination of the terms
of the new investment and the allocation of such opportunities among Advisory Accounts. Follow-on
investment opportunities may be available to clients with no existing investment in the Affiliated Product,
resulting in the assets of an Advisory Account potentially providing value to, or otherwise supporting the
investments of, other Advisory Accounts. Advisory Accounts may also participate in re-leveraging,
recapitalization and similar transactions involving Affiliated Products in which other Advisory Accounts have
invested or will invest. Conflicts of interest in these and other transactions arise between Advisory Accounts
with existing investments in an Affiliated Product or Advisory Accounts liquidating their investment in the
Affiliated Product, on the one hand and Advisory Accounts making subsequent investments in the Affiliated
Product, on the other hand, which have opposing interests regarding pricing and other terms. In addition,
the subsequent investments may dilute or otherwise adversely affect the interests of the previously-invested
Advisory Accounts. The conflicts described in this paragraph apply equally to investments in External
Products. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests; Allocation of Investment Opportunities
above.
Goldman Sachs creates, writes, sells, issues, invests in or acts as placement agent or distributor of
derivative instruments related to Affiliated Products such as pooled investment vehicles, or with respect to
underlying securities or assets of Affiliated Products, or which are otherwise based on, or seek to replicate
or hedge, the performance of Affiliated Products. Such derivative transactions, and any associated hedging
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activity, may differ from, and be adverse to, the interests of Advisory Accounts. For example, derivative
transactions could represent leveraged investments in an investment fund in which Advisory Accounts have
an interest, and the leveraged characteristics of such investments could make it more likely, due to events
of default or otherwise, that there would be significant redemptions of interests from such underlying fund
more quickly than might otherwise be the case. Goldman Sachs, acting in commercial capacities in
connection with such derivative transactions, may in fact cause such a redemption. Activities in respect of
derivative transactions, and any associated hedging activity, may occur as a result of Goldman Sachs’
adjustment in assessment of an investment or an Affiliated Manager or Unaffiliated Manager based on
various considerations, and Goldman Sachs will not be under any obligation or other duty to provide notice
to Advisory Accounts in respect of any such adjustment in assessment. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and
Competing Interests above. See also Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
– General Risks Applicable to Advisory Accounts – Options Risk.
Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs or its clients (including Advisory Accounts and Accounts formed
to facilitate investment by Personnel) may invest in or alongside particular Advisory Accounts that are
invested in Affiliated Products. These investments generally will be on terms more favorable than those of
an investment by Advisory Accounts in such Affiliated Products and may constitute a substantial percentage
of the assets of such Affiliated Products resulting in particular Advisory Accounts being allocated a smaller
share of the investment than would be the case absent the side-by-side investment. Unless provided
otherwise by agreement to the contrary, Goldman Sachs, its Personnel and its clients may redeem or
withdraw interests in these Affiliated Products at any time without notice or regard to the effect on the
portfolios of Advisory Accounts invested in the Affiliated Product and adversely affect such Advisory
Accounts. Substantial requests for redemption or withdrawal by Goldman Sachs in a concentrated period
of time could require an Affiliated Product to liquidate certain of its investments more rapidly than otherwise
desirable in order to raise cash to fund the redemptions or withdrawals, adversely affecting the Affiliated
Product and its investors, including Advisory Accounts. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing
Interests above, and Item 11 – Firm Policies, Regulatory Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting
Advisory Accounts below.
It should be expected that the various types of investors in and beneficiaries of Affiliated Products, including
Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, will have conflicting investment, tax and other interests with respect to
their interest in the Affiliated Products. When considering a potential investment for an Affiliated Product,
Goldman Sachs will generally consider the investment objectives of the Affiliated Product, not the
investment objectives of any particular investor or beneficiary. Goldman Sachs makes decisions, including
with respect to tax matters, from time to time that will be more beneficial to one type of investor or beneficiary
than another, or to the Adviser and its affiliates than to investors or beneficiaries unaffiliated with the
Adviser. In addition, Goldman Sachs faces certain tax risks based on positions taken by an Affiliated
Product, including as a withholding agent. Goldman Sachs reserves the right on behalf of itself and its
affiliates to take actions adverse to the Affiliated Product or other Accounts in these circumstances,
including withholding amounts to cover actual or potential tax liabilities. Failure to provide the necessary
tax forms could result in over-withholding, requiring Advisory Account clients to reclaim excess amounts
withheld. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests above.
Investments in and Advice Regarding Different Parts of an Issuer’s Capital Structure
In some cases, Goldman Sachs or its clients (including Advisory Accounts), on the one hand, and a
particular Advisory Account, on the other hand, invest in or extend credit to the same issuer, but in different
parts of the capital structure. As a result, Goldman Sachs or its clients may take actions that adversely
affect the particular Advisory Account. In addition, in some cases, Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser)
advises clients with respect to part of the capital structure of an issuer where a particular Advisory Account
has an investment in different classes of securities of such issuer that are subordinate or senior to the
securities, with respect to which Goldman Sachs is providing advice. Goldman Sachs is able to pursue
rights, provide advice or engage in other activities, or refrain from pursuing rights, providing advice or
engaging in other activities, on behalf of itself or its clients with respect to an issuer in which a particular
Advisory Account has invested, and such actions (or inaction) may have an adverse effect on such Advisory
Account. See Item 11 – Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple Commercial Capacities above.
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For example, in the event that Goldman Sachs or an Account holds loans, securities or other positions in
the capital structure of an issuer that rank senior in preference to the holdings of a particular Advisory
Account in the same issuer, and the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges, Goldman Sachs
(acting on behalf of itself or the Account) may seek a liquidation, reorganization or restructuring of the
issuer, or terms in connection with the foregoing, that could have an adverse effect or otherwise conflict
with the interests of the particular Advisory Account’s holdings in the issuer. In determining its course of
action, Goldman Sachs will not consider the interests of the particular Advisory Account. Goldman Sachs
may determine to seek a liquidation, reorganization or restructuring that causes a particular Advisory
Account’s holdings in the issuer to be extinguished or substantially diluted, while Goldman Sachs (including
the Adviser) or an Account may receive a recovery of some or all of the amounts due to them. In addition,
in connection with any lending arrangements involving the issuer in which Goldman Sachs (including the
Adviser), or an Account participates, Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) or the Account may seek to
exercise its rights under the applicable loan agreement or other document in a manner detrimental to the
particular Advisory Account. Alternatively, in situations in which an Advisory Account holds a more senior
position in the capital structure of an issuer experiencing financial or other challenges as compared to
positions held by other Accounts (including those of Goldman Sachs) Goldman Sachs may determine not
to pursue actions and remedies available to the Advisory Account or not to enforce particular terms that
might be unfavorable to the Accounts holding the less senior position. In addition, in the event that Goldman
Sachs or the Accounts hold voting securities of an issuer in which a particular Advisory Account holds loans,
bonds or other credit-related assets or securities, Goldman Sachs or the Accounts may vote on certain
matters in a manner that has an adverse effect on the positions held by the Advisory Account. Conversely,
Advisory Accounts may hold voting securities or credit-related assets of an issuer in which Goldman Sachs
or Accounts hold credit-related assets or securities, and Goldman Sachs may determine on behalf of the
Advisory Accounts not to vote in a manner adverse to Goldman Sachs or the Accounts (including by
abstaining from the relevant vote or voting in line with other similarly situated investors). Finally, Goldman
Sachs has certain relationships and other business dealings with issuers, other holders of credit-related
assets or securities of such issuers, or other transaction participants that cause Goldman Sachs to pursue
an action or engage in a transaction that has an adverse effect on the positions held by the Advisory
Account.
These potential issues are examples of conflicts that Goldman Sachs will face in situations in which
Advisory Accounts, and Goldman Sachs or other Accounts, invest in or extend credit to different parts of
the capital structure of a single issuer or related issuers. Similar conflicts can arise among Accounts (which
includes proprietary accounts of Goldman Sachs and Advisory Accounts) in other contexts. For example,
one Account could own equity in a portfolio company and another Account could hold debt obligations
issued by the portfolio company. Alternatively, a capital structure could involve multiple entities with
Accounts holding interests in different entities and with different seniority. By way of example, one Account
could hold debt issued by a parent entity and another Account could hold debt issued by a subsidiary entity.
An Account that holds debt issued by the parent entity is structurally subordinated to the debt issued by the
subsidiary entity with respect to the assets of the subsidiary entity. Related conflicts also occur where there
is debt issued to an Account by a part owner of an entity and equity in that entity is owned by a different
Account. When Accounts hold interests of differing seniority levels within a capital structure, their interests
will diverge in certain situations, particularly in the event of financial distress for the company.
Goldman Sachs has adopted procedures to address such conflicts, and addresses these issues based on
the circumstances of particular situations. For example, Goldman Sachs relies on information barriers
between different Goldman Sachs business units or portfolio management teams. In addition, Goldman
Sachs in some circumstances relies on the actions of similarly situated holders of loans or securities rather
than, in connection with, taking such actions itself on behalf of the Advisory Account.
As a result of the various conflicts and related issues described above and the fact that conflicts will not
necessarily be resolved in favor of the interests of particular Advisory Accounts, Advisory Accounts could
sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and other Accounts (including Advisory Accounts)
achieve profits generally or with respect to particular holdings in the same issuer, or could achieve lower
profits or higher losses than would have been the case had the conflicts described above not existed. It
should be expected that the negative effects described above will be more pronounced in connection with
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transactions in, or Advisory Accounts using small capitalization, emerging market, distressed or less liquid
strategies.
Valuation
The Adviser performs certain valuation services related to securities and assets in Advisory Accounts
according to its valuation policies and may value an identical asset differently than another entity, segment
or unit within Goldman Sachs, or differently than another Account or Advisory Account, values the asset,
including because such other entity, segment or unit has information or uses valuation techniques and
models that it does not share with, or that are different than those of the Adviser. This is particularly the
case in respect of difficult-to-value assets, including but not limited to alternative investments. The Adviser
may also value an identical asset differently in different Advisory Accounts, including because different
Advisory Accounts are subject to different valuation guidelines pursuant to their respective governing
agreements. In addition, there may be significant differences in the treatment of the same asset by the
Adviser, on the one hand, other entities, segments or units of Goldman Sachs, on the other hand, and/or
among Advisory Accounts (e.g., with respect to an asset that is a loan, there can be differences when it is
determined that such loan is deemed to be on non-accrual status or in default). Differences in valuation
should also be expected where different third-party vendors are hired to perform valuation functions for the
Advisory Accounts, or the Advisory Accounts are managed or advised by different portfolio management
teams within Goldman Sachs that employ different valuation policies or procedures or otherwise.
This is particularly the case with difficult-to-value assets. The Adviser faces a conflict with respect to
valuations generally because of their effect on the Adviser’s fees and other compensation. In addition, to
the extent the Adviser utilizes third-party vendors to perform certain valuation functions, these vendors may
have interests and incentives that differ from those of the Advisory Accounts.
Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource
Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Adviser, may from time to time and without notice
to clients, including Advisory Accounts, in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection
with a variety of services that it provides to a client or an Advisory Account in its administrative or other
capacities. Depending upon the nature of the services and subject to the governing documents of the client
relationship or Advisory Account, fees associated with in-sourced or outsourced services will be borne by
the client, an Advisory Account, or by the Adviser or an affiliate. Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give
rise to additional conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser will have an incentive to outsource services
for which costs are borne by Advisory Accounts because such outsourcing would reduce the Adviser’s
internal overhead and compensation costs for employees who would otherwise perform such services in-
house.
Firm Policies, Regulatory Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting Advisory
Accounts
Goldman Sachs restricts its investment decisions and activities on behalf of an Advisory Account in various
circumstances, including as a result of applicable regulatory requirements, information held by Goldman
Sachs, as more fully described below. Goldman Sachs’ roles in connection with other clients and in the
capital markets (including in connection with advice it gives to such clients or commercial arrangements or
transactions that are undertaken by such clients or by Goldman Sachs), Goldman Sachs’ internal policies
and/or potential reputational risk in connection with Accounts (including Advisory Accounts). In certain
cases, Goldman Sachs will not engage in transactions or other activities for, enforce certain rights in favor
of or recommend transactions or activities to, an Advisory Account, or can reduce an Advisory Account’s
position in an investment with limited availability to create availability for another Advisory Account managed
in the same strategy, in consideration of Goldman Sachs’ activities outside the Advisory Account and
regulatory requirements, policies and reputational risk assessments. For example, such limitations may
exist if a position or transaction could require a filing or a license or other regulatory or corporate consent,
which could, among other things, result in additional costs and disclosure obligations for or impose
regulatory restrictions on Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) or on other Advisory Accounts, or where
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exceeding a threshold is prohibited or results in regulatory or other restrictions. In certain cases, restrictions
and limitations will be applied to avoid approaching such threshold. Circumstances in which such
restrictions or limitations arise include, without limitation: (i) a prohibition against owning more than a certain
percentage of an issuer’s securities; (ii) a “poison pill” that has a dilutive impact on the holdings of the
Accounts should a threshold be exceeded; (iii) provisions that cause Goldman Sachs to be considered an
“interested stockholder” of an issuer; (iv) provisions that cause Goldman Sachs to be considered an
“affiliate” or “control person” of the issuer; and (v) the imposition by an issuer (through charter amendment,
contract or otherwise) or governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (through law, rule,
regulation, interpretation or other guidance) of other restrictions or limitations. In addition, due to regulatory
restrictions (including ERISA), certain Advisory Accounts are prohibited from trading with or through
Goldman Sachs, from engaging Goldman Sachs as a service provider or from purchasing investments
issued or managed by Goldman Sachs.
When faced with the foregoing limitations, Goldman Sachs will generally avoid exceeding the threshold
because doing so could have an adverse impact on the ability of Goldman Sachs to conduct business
activities. Goldman Sachs may also reduce a particular Advisory Account’s interest in, or restrict certain
Advisory Accounts from participating in an investment opportunity that has limited availability or where
Goldman Sachs has determined to cap its aggregate investment in consideration of certain regulatory or
other requirements so that other Advisory Accounts that pursue similar investment strategies are able to
acquire an interest in the investment opportunity. In some cases, Goldman Sachs determines not to engage
in certain transactions or activities beneficial to Advisory Accounts because of reputational considerations
or because engaging in such transactions or activities in compliance with applicable law would result in
significant cost to, or administrative burden on, Goldman Sachs (including the Adviser) or create the
potential risk of trade or other errors.
Goldman Sachs generally is not permitted to use material non-public information in effecting purchases and
sales in transactions for Advisory Accounts that involve public securities. The Adviser may limit an activity
or transaction (such as a purchase or sale transaction or a subscription to or redemption from an underlying
fund) which might otherwise be engaged in on behalf of a particular Advisory Account, including as a result
of information held by Goldman Sachs (including other Advisory Accounts). For example, directors, officers
and employees of Goldman Sachs may take seats on the boards of directors of, or have board of directors’
observer rights with respect to, companies in which Goldman Sachs invests on behalf of Advisory Accounts.
To the extent a director, officer or employee of Goldman Sachs were to take a seat on the board of directors
of, or have board of directors observer rights with respect to, a public company, Goldman Sachs (including
the Adviser, GS&Co., and GSAM or certain of their investment teams) may be limited and/or restricted in
its or their ability to trade in the securities of the company. In addition, any such director, officer or employee
of Goldman Sachs that is a member of the board of directors of a portfolio company in which Goldman
Sachs invests on behalf of Advisory Accounts may have duties to the portfolio company in his or her
capacity as a director that conflict with Goldman Sachs’s duties to Advisory Accounts, and may act in a
manner that disadvantages or otherwise harms Advisory Accounts and/or benefits the portfolio company
and/or Goldman Sachs.
In addition, the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, determine to limit the information it receives in respect
of an investment opportunity to avoid receiving material non-public information. As a result, other investors
may be in possession of information in respect of investments, which, if known to the Adviser, might cause
the Adviser to not make such investment, to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in such
investments, or take other actions. Any decision by the Adviser to limit access to such information may be
disadvantageous to an Advisory Account.
Different areas of Goldman Sachs come into possession of material non-public information regarding an
issuer of securities held by an Advisory Account or an investment fund in which such Advisory Account
invests. In the absence of information barriers between such different areas of Goldman Sachs or under
certain other circumstances, an Advisory Account will be prohibited, including by internal policies, from
redeeming from or otherwise disposing of such security or such investment fund interest during the period
such material non-public information is held by such other part of Goldman Sachs, which period may be
substantial. As a result, the Advisory Account may not be permitted to redeem from an investment fund in
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whole or in part during periods when it otherwise would have been able to do so, which could adversely
affect the Advisory Account. Other investors in the investment fund that are not subject to such restrictions
may be able to redeem from the investment fund during such periods.
In addition, clients may partially or fully fund a new Advisory Account with in-kind securities in which the
Adviser is restricted. The list of restricted in-kind securities is subject to change over time and without notice.
In such circumstances, the Adviser will generally sell any such securities at the next available trading
window, subject to operational and technological limitations (unless such securities are subject to another
express arrangement) requiring such Advisory Accounts to dispose of investments at an earlier date and/or
at a less favorable price than would otherwise have been the case had the Adviser not been so restricted.
Advisory Accounts will be responsible for all tax liabilities that result from any such sale transactions.
Goldman Sachs operates a program reasonably designed to ensure compliance generally with economic
and trade sanctions-related obligations applicable directly to its activities (although such obligations are not
necessarily the same obligations to which an Advisory Account is subject). Such economic and trade
sanctions prohibit, among other things, transactions with and the provision of services to, directly or
indirectly, certain countries, territories, entities and individuals. It should be expected that these economic
and trade sanctions, if applicable, and the application by Goldman Sachs of its compliance program in
respect thereof, will restrict or limit an Advisory Account’s investment activities, potentially requiring the
Adviser to cause an Advisory Account to sell its position in a particular investment at an inopportune time
and/or when the Adviser would otherwise not have done so, or to hold its position in a particular investment
even though doing so could have an adverse effect on the Advisory Account.
In order to engage in certain transactions on behalf of Advisory Accounts, Goldman Sachs will be subject
to (or cause Advisory Accounts to become subject to) the rules, terms and/or conditions of any venues
through which it trades securities, derivatives or other instruments. This includes, but is not limited to, where
the Adviser and/or the Advisory Accounts are required to comply with the rules of certain exchanges,
execution platforms, trading facilities, clearinghouses and other venues, or are required to consent to the
jurisdiction of any such venues. The rules, terms and/or conditions of any such venue often result in the
Adviser and/or the Advisory Accounts being subject to, among other things, margin requirements, additional
fees and other charges, disciplinary procedures, reporting and recordkeeping, position limits and other
restrictions on trading, settlement risks and other related conditions on trading set out by such venues.
From time to time, an Advisory Account, the Adviser or its affiliates and/or their service providers or agents
are required, or determine that it is advisable, to disclose certain information about an Advisory Account,
including, but not limited to, investments held by the Advisory Account, and the names and percentage
interest of beneficial owners thereof, to third parties, including advisers, local governmental authorities,
regulatory organizations, taxing authorities, markets, exchanges, clearing facilities, custodians, brokers and
trading counterparties of, or service providers to, the Adviser, advisers or underlying funds or the Advisory
Account. The Adviser will comply with requests to disclose such information as it so determines, including
through electronic delivery platforms. In some instances, the Adviser will cause the sale of certain assets
for the Advisory Account at a time that is inopportune from a pricing or other standpoint. In addition,
Goldman Sachs may provide third parties with aggregated data regarding the activities of, or certain
performance or other metrics associated with, the Advisory Accounts it manages, and Goldman Sachs will
generally receive compensation from such third parties for providing them such information.
The Adviser can determine to limit or not engage at all in transactions and activities on behalf of Advisory
Accounts for reputational, legal or other reasons. Examples of when such determinations may be made
include, but are not limited to, (i) where Goldman Sachs is providing (or may provide) advice or services to
an entity involved in such activity or transaction, (ii) where Goldman Sachs or an Account is or may be
engaged in the same or a related activity or transaction to that being considered on behalf of the Advisory
Account, (iii) where Goldman Sachs or another Account has an interest in an entity involved in such activity
or transaction, (iv) where there are political, public relations, or other reputational considerations relating to
counterparties or other participants in such activity or transaction, or (v) where such activity or transaction
on behalf of or with respect to the Advisory Account could affect in tangible or intangible ways Goldman
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Sachs, an Account or their activities. See Item 11 – Goldman Sachs Acting in Multiple Commercial
Capacities above.
Considerations Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has established certain information barriers and other policies designed to address the
sharing of information between different businesses within Goldman Sachs and within the Adviser. As a
result of information barriers, the Adviser generally does not have access, or has limited access, to certain
information and Personnel, including senior personnel, in other areas of Goldman Sachs relating to
business transactions for clients (including transactions in investing, banking, prime brokerage and certain
other areas), and generally will not manage the Advisory Accounts with the benefit of information held by
these other areas. Conversely, these other areas of Goldman Sachs generally do not have access, or have
limited access, to certain information and Personnel, including senior personnel, in the Adviser, and
generally will not manage their client accounts with the benefit of information held by the Adviser. Goldman
Sachs, due to its access to, and knowledge of, funds, markets and securities based on its prime brokerage
and other businesses, will from time to time make decisions based on information or take (or refrain from
taking) actions with respect to interests in investments of the kind held (directly or indirectly) by Advisory
Accounts in a manner that is adverse to Advisory Accounts, and Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation
or other duty to share information with the Adviser.
In limited circumstances, including for purposes of managing business and reputational risk, and subject to
policies and procedures, Personnel on one side of an information barrier may have access to information
and Personnel on the other side of the information barrier through “wall crossings.” The Adviser faces
conflicts of interest in determining whether to engage in such wall crossings. In addition, Goldman Sachs
or the Adviser may determine to move certain Personnel, businesses, or business units from one side of
an information barrier to the other side of the information barrier. In connection therewith, Personnel,
businesses, and business units that are moved will no longer have access to the Personnel, businesses
and business units on the side of the information barrier from which they are moved.
Information obtained in connection with wall crossings and changes to information barriers may limit or
restrict the ability of the Adviser to engage in or otherwise effect transactions on behalf of Advisory Accounts
(including purchasing or selling securities that the Adviser may otherwise have purchased or sold for an
Advisory Account). There may also be circumstances in which, as a result of information held by certain
portfolio management teams in the Adviser, the Adviser limits an activity or transaction for Advisory
Accounts, including Advisory Accounts managed by portfolio management teams other than the team
holding such information. See Item 11 – Differing Advice and Competing Interests; Firm Policies, Regulatory
Restrictions and Certain Other Factors Affecting Advisory Accounts above.
In addition, regardless of the existence of information barriers, Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation
or other duty to make available for the benefit of advisory clients or Advisory Accounts any information
regarding its trading activities, strategies or views, or the activities, strategies or views used for other
Accounts. From time to time different areas of the Adviser and Goldman Sachs will take views, and make
decisions or recommendations, that are different than other areas of the Adviser and Goldman Sachs.
Furthermore, to the extent that Advisory Personnel have access to fundamental analysis and proprietary
technical models or other information developed by Goldman Sachs and its personnel, Advisory Personnel
will not be under any obligation or other duty to effect transactions on behalf of the Advisory Accounts in
accordance with such analysis. In the event Goldman Sachs elects not to share certain information with
Advisory Accounts, such Advisory Accounts may make investment decisions that differ from those they
would have made if Goldman Sachs had provided such information and be disadvantaged as a result
thereof. Different Advisory Personnel within the Adviser may make decisions based on information or take
(or refrain from taking) actions with respect to Advisory Accounts they advise in a manner different than or
adverse to other Advisory Accounts. Such teams do not share information with other portfolio management
teams within the Adviser (or other areas of Goldman Sachs), including as a result of certain information
barriers and other policies, and will not have any obligation or other duty to do so. See Item 11 – Differing
Advice and Competing Interests above.
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Goldman Sachs operates a business known as Prime Services (“Prime Services”), which provides prime
brokerage, administrative and other services to clients that from time to time involve investment funds in
which Advisory Accounts have an interest or markets and securities in which Advisory Accounts invest.
Prime Services and other parts of Goldman Sachs have broad access to information regarding the current
status of certain markets, investments and funds and detailed information about fund operators that is not
available to the Adviser. In addition, Goldman Sachs from time to time acts as a prime broker to one or
more investment funds in which Advisory Accounts have an interest, in which case Goldman Sachs will
have information concerning the investments and transactions of such investment fund that is not available
to the Adviser. As a result of these and other activities, parts of Goldman Sachs will possess information
regarding markets, investments, Affiliated Managers, Unaffiliated Managers, and investment funds, which,
if known to the Adviser, might cause the Adviser to seek to: dispose of, retain, or increase interests in
investments held by Advisory Accounts; acquire certain positions on behalf of Advisory Accounts; or take
other actions. Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation or other duty to make any such information
available to the Adviser or Wealth Advisors involved in decision-making for Advisory Accounts.
The conflicts described herein with respect to information barriers and otherwise with respect to Goldman
Sachs and the Adviser also apply to Asset & Wealth Management, as well as to the businesses within Asset
& Wealth Management, including the Adviser.
Financial Incentives in Selling Insurance Products
The Adviser’s affiliated broker-dealer, Mercer Allied, and the Adviser’s affiliated insurance agencies, ASA
and ASIA receive insurance commissions from insurers for the distribution of fixed and variable insurance
policies and annuities, which inure to the benefit of the Adviser. The receipt of remuneration by the Adviser’s
affiliates creates a conflict of interest between the fiduciary duty the Adviser owes to clients in offering
investment advice, including any recommendation to implement insurance strategies, and the interests of
the Adviser and its affiliates, namely the benefits that the Adviser’s affiliates will receive on the policy and/or
annuity distribution. Additionally, Wealth Advisors licensed as insurance agents receive compensation for
referring clients to Mercer Allied or ASA. Such compensation will vary depending on the type of product
purchased.
Different compensation arrangements are in place for ASA, ASIA and Mercer Allied, and their affiliates and
individual Wealth Advisors for the same or similar insurance products depending on the relationship
between the insurance company and agency that distributed the insurance product, and the affiliate and
the Wealth Advisors. If Wealth Advisors can refer a client to ASA, Mercer Allied or to any third party for the
purchase of an insurance product, these different compensation arrangements create a conflict of interest.
ITEM 12 – BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Broker-Dealer Selection and Directed Brokerage
Investment Management services provided by the Adviser custodied with GS&Co. or Fidelity are generally
available only to clients who have directed the Adviser to execute transactions for their Advisory Accounts
through GS&Co. or Fidelity, respectively. As a result, substantially all transactions for Advisory Accounts
are executed by GS&Co. or Fidelity, as applicable. These transactions can be effected by GS&Co., as
agent or as principal, or Fidelity. The Execution Charges charged by the different custodians may differ and
result in lower prices on one custodian platform versus the other. Execution Charges can also differ
depending on the client’s pricing model. See Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.
Where an Advisory Account directs brokerage to GS&Co. or Fidelity, it is possible that the Adviser may be
unable to achieve most favorable execution for client transactions, and the Advisory Account may be
disadvantaged as a result of a less favorable execution price. Clients should understand that not all advisers
require their clients to direct brokerage to a particular broker-dealer.
In limited circumstances, the Adviser or its affiliates will decide to execute transactions through a broker-
dealer that is not Fidelity or GS&Co. Where the Adviser or its affiliates select a broker-dealer other than
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GS&Co. or Fidelity to execute transactions for an Advisory Account, they do so consistent with their best
execution policies and procedures. Subject to any specific instructions that the Adviser accepts from clients,
the Adviser may take into account a range of factors in deciding how to execute client orders, including,
but not limited to, price; costs; timing and speed of execution; responsiveness; track record; quality of
service; confidentiality; creditworthiness and financial stability; likelihood of, and capabilities in, execution,
clearance and settlement; size; liquidity in or with an execution venue; nature; in certain circumstances, a
broker’s or counterparty’s willingness to commit capital and, where permitted by applicable law, the
provision of research and “soft dollar” benefits, if any, as described below; and other appropriate factors.
Best price, giving effect to commissions and commission equivalents (if any) and other transaction costs,
is normally an important factor in deciding how to execute transactions, but, in consideration of other
relevant factors and due to applicable legal and/or regulatory restrictions, transactions will not always be
executed at the lowest available price or commission or commission equivalents (if any). In determining the
relative importance of factors considered, the Adviser takes into account the size and nature of client orders,
the characteristics of the financial instruments to which the order relates, the current market conditions,
and the characteristics of the available brokers or counterparties which can be used or to which client
orders can be directed. Where the Adviser selects or recommends a broker-dealer other than Fidelity or
GS&Co., the Adviser does not consider whether it or any of its affiliates receives client referrals from that
broker-dealer.
When placing orders with any broker or counterparty, including its affiliates, the Adviser may, in accordance
with applicable law, give permission for such broker to trade along with or ahead of Advisory Account orders
(i.e., determine not to opt-in to the protections afforded under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule
5320). When acting as agent or counterparty, the Adviser’s affiliate will generally charge the client a
commission, mark-up, mark-down, or other commission equivalent.
To the extent that transactions are effected through GS&Co., Fidelity or other broker-dealers, those broker-
dealers may have commercial interests in transactions that are adverse to Advisory Accounts, such as
obtaining favorable commission rates, mark-ups and mark-downs, other commission equivalents and
lending rates and arrangements. No accounting to Advisory Accounts will be required, and broker-dealers
including GS&Co. will be entitled to retain all such fees and other amounts and no advisory fees or other
compensation will be reduced thereby.
When Fidelity acts as custodian for Advisory Accounts, Fidelity provides the Adviser with “institutional
platform services.” The institutional platform services include, among others, brokerage, custody, and other
related services. Fidelity's institutional platform services include software and other technology that:
(i) provides access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements);
(ii) facilitates trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts; (iii) provides
research, pricing and other market data; (iv) facilitates payment of fees from its clients’ accounts; and
(v) assists with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Fidelity currently provides the
Adviser with a discount on the Adviser’s cost to use a digital financial planning program owned by an affiliate
of Fidelity, but it is expected that that this discount will terminate in the future.
Fidelity also offers other services intended to help the Adviser manage and further develop its advisory
practice. Such services include, but are not limited to, performance reporting, contact management
systems, third- party research, publications, access to educational conferences, roundtables and webinars,
practice management resources, access to consultants and other third-party service providers who provide
a wide array of business related services and technology with whom the Adviser may contract directly.
Fidelity generally does not charge the Adviser separately for custody services but is compensated by
account holders through commissions and other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities
trades that are executed through Fidelity or that settle into Fidelity accounts.
Where, the Adviser manages an Advisory Account that transitioned from GS PFM with Fidelity as custodian,
execution and related services are generally handled in accordance with the terms of the legacy
arrangements with Fidelity for such Advisory Account. Executions for certain accounts that transitioned
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from GS PFM are handled through a registered investment adviser that provides a third-party technology
platform.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
The Adviser is not currently receiving soft dollar benefits in connection with client securities transactions.
Aggregation of Orders
The Adviser seeks to execute orders for Advisory Accounts fairly and equitably over time. The Adviser
follows policies and procedures pursuant to which it is able (but not required) to combine or aggregate
purchase or sale orders for the same security or other instrument for multiple clients (sometimes called
“bunching” or “aggregating”), so that the orders can be executed at the same time. The Adviser may also
determine whether to permit the executing broker (whether GS&Co., affiliates of GS&Co., Fidelity or other
unaffiliated broker) to trade along with client orders, subject to applicable law. The particular procedures
followed may differ depending on the particular strategy or type of investment.
The Adviser and its advisory affiliates as a general matter do not bunch or aggregate orders for different
accounts, or net buy and sell orders for the same account, if portfolio management decisions relating to the
orders are made by separate Wealth Advisors or portfolio management teams, or if bunching, aggregating
or netting are not appropriate or practicable from the Adviser’s operational or other perspective. The Adviser
may be able to negotiate a better price and lower commission rate on aggregated orders than on orders for
Advisory Accounts that are not aggregated, and incur lower transaction costs on netted orders than orders
that are not netted. The Adviser is under no obligation or other duty to aggregate or net for particular orders.
Where transactions for a client’s account are not aggregated with orders for other accounts or not netted
against orders for the client’s account or other client accounts, the client will not benefit from a better price
and lower commission rate or lower transaction cost that might have been available had the orders been
aggregated or netted. Aggregation and netting of orders may disproportionately benefit some Advisory
Accounts relative to other Advisory Accounts due to the relative amount of market savings obtained by the
Advisory Accounts.
The Adviser generally allocates the securities or other instruments purchased or proceeds of a sale from a
bunched order among the participating accounts in the manner indicated on the order. If the order is filled
at several different prices, through multiple trades, generally all participating accounts will receive the
average price and pay the average commission, subject to odd lots, rounding, and market practice. There
may be instances in which not all Advisory Accounts are charged the same commission or commission
equivalent rates in a bunched or aggregated order, including minimum denomination requirements and
restrictions under applicable law on the use of client commissions to pay for research services. When a
bunched order is partially filled for an Advisory Account, securities must be allocated proportionately based
upon the relative size of the particular client’s pre-trade designation subject to odd-lots, minimum
denomination requirements or other circumstances where it would be impractical or not in the client’s best
interest to provide a partial allocation.
Account Errors and Error Resolution
The Adviser has policies and procedures to help it assess and determine, consistent with applicable
standards of care and client documentation, when reimbursement is due by it to a client because the Adviser
has committed an error. Pursuant to the Adviser’s policy, an error is generally compensable from the
Adviser to a client when it is a mistake (whether an action or inaction) in which the Adviser has, in the
Adviser’s reasonable view, deviated from the applicable standard of care in managing the client’s assets,
subject to materiality and other considerations. The Adviser makes its determinations pursuant to its error
policies on a case-by-case basis, in its discretion, based on factors it considers reasonable. Relevant facts
and circumstances the Adviser may consider include, among others, the nature of the service being
provided at the time of the incident, whether intervening causes including the action or inaction of third
parties caused or contributed to the incident, specific applicable contractual and legal restrictions and
standards of care, whether a client’s investment objective was contravened, the nature of the client’s
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investment approach, whether a contractual guideline was violated, the nature and materiality of the
relevant circumstances and the materiality of any resulting losses or gains. The determination by the
Adviser to treat (or not treat) an incident as compensable, and any calculation of compensation in respect
thereof for any one client or Advisory Account managed or advised by the Adviser may differ from the
determination and calculation made by the Adviser in respect to one or more other clients or Advisory
Accounts.
When the Adviser determines that compensation by the Adviser is appropriate, the client will be
compensated as determined in good faith by the Adviser. The Adviser will determine the amount to be
reimbursed, if any, based on what it considers reasonable guidelines regarding these matters in light of all
of the facts and circumstances related to the incident. In general, compensation is expected to be limited
to direct and actual losses, and the Adviser expects, subject to its discretion, that losses will be netted with
any gains arising from a particular incident. Compensation generally will not include any amounts or
measures that the Adviser considers to be speculative or uncertain. In calculating any reimbursement
amount, the Adviser generally will not consider tax implications for, or the tax status of, any affected client.
The Adviser may at any time, in its sole discretion and without notice to clients, amend or supplement its
policies with respect to account errors and error resolution.
ITEM 13 – REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
Financial Plan Reviews
As agreed to between the client and the Adviser, Wealth Advisors periodically review each of their individual
client’s allocations of assets among various asset groups held by GS&Co. or third-party custodian, to the
extent such assets are known to the Wealth Advisor. Such reviews include, but are not limited to,
performance, client objectives, inactivity, high concentrations in individual securities, or changes in the
client’s account information or financial situation. Wealth Advisors may also use historical market data
provided by clients’ custodians to periodically prepare client asset allocations with respect to risk and return.
Such reviews may result in rebalancing a client’s Advisory Accounts managed and/or monitored by the
Wealth Advisor in order to meet the clients’ current investment objective, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
Client Account Reviews
The Adviser provides ongoing monitoring of the Advisory Accounts for, among other things, allocations that
are outside a client’s investment guidelines. Additionally, the Adviser periodically communicates with clients
to ascertain whether there have been any changes in the client's financial circumstances or objectives that
warrant a change in the management of the client's assets. The Adviser supervisory personnel, in
consultation with the client’s designated Wealth Advisors, conduct periodic reviews of certain Advisory
Accounts that are either randomly selected or identified as meeting certain criteria warranting additional
review.
The Adviser will also perform reviews of Advisory Accounts as appropriate in response to particular events,
such as changes in market conditions, a client’s financial circumstances, investment objectives and
policies, or in response to a client request.
Custodial Statements
Each client with an Advisory Account receives an account statement from the custodian on at least a
quarterly basis. The statement provides detailed information including transactions, fee debits, and other
activity during the period, securities positions and money market fund positions, and their end-of-period fair
market values. Year-end summaries of realized gains and losses (IRS Schedule D information), and
dividends and interest received (IRS 1099-INT and 1099-DIV) are generated and sent by the custodian to
all clients with taxable accounts.
Rebalancing
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For Advisory Accounts that transitioned from GS PFM and certain related accounts, leveraging a third-party
technology platform, the Adviser will rebalance discretionary Investment Management Account holdings in
accordance with the client’s selected parameters or the allocation model applicable to the account. It should
be expected that rebalancing transactions will generate taxable transactions.
ITEM 14 – CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Continuing Education & Product Training
From time-to-time, the Adviser organizes educational and training meetings for its supervised persons.
Certain product providers, unaffiliated advisers, and vendors are permitted to make presentations to the
Adviser’s supervised persons. The presentations may or may not provide continuing education credits,
such as for insurance licensing. These providers may contribute to the cost of putting on these sessions at
hotels or other meeting facilities. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts
of interest are described above in Item 12 – Brokerage Practices. The availability of these products and
services is not based on the Adviser providing particular investment advice.
Client Referrals
Where personnel of the Adviser refer clients to affiliated advisers, including GSAM, GSAMI, GS&Co., and
to affiliated insurance agencies, ASA, ASIA, and to affiliated broker dealers, Mercer Allied and GS&Co., in
connection with certain services the Adviser receives referral fees subject to applicable law and
compensate its eligible employees for such referrals.
From time to time, the Adviser also makes cash or non-cash payments for testimonials, endorsements, or
client referrals to affiliated and unaffiliated persons or entities in accordance with applicable laws. In the
case of client referrals, the compensation arrangements generally are either a flat fee calculated and paid
on a periodic basis or a fee based on a percentage of the advisory fees received by the Adviser for the
referred client accounts. For the Adviser, the compensation arrangement can also be a percentage of the
fees that a Corporate Partner pays to the Adviser.
The Adviser has relationships with one or more advertisers, including operators of websites matching
consumers with providers of various financial products and services, pursuant to which the Adviser
compensates such advertiser for the advertising services provided.
The Adviser’s Financial Planning fee may be paid, in whole or in part, by third parties, including the client’s
employer. From time to time, the Adviser compensates employees of the Adviser and its affiliates for client
referrals consistent with applicable laws. Additionally, the Adviser and its affiliates, including GS&Co., make
referrals of clients to each other for whom such entity’s services seem to be appropriate and will generally
receive or pay, as the case may be, a percentage of fee revenue as compensation.
The Adviser makes client referrals to third party investment advisers and receives a fee for that service.
Such third parties have other relationships with Goldman Sachs including for investment management and
custodial services. Goldman Sachs will receive compensation and other benefits for these services in
addition to the referral fee in connection with such client referrals which creates a conflict of interest and
incentive for the Adviser to select certain third party investment advisers to participate in the referral
program. The Adviser does not undertake any fiduciary obligation when providing such referrals to third
party investment advisers.
Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® Referrals
Certain client accounts that transitioned to the Adviser from GS PFM and certain Advisory Accounts were
part of Fidelity’s institutional adviser referral program (the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® (“WAS”)
Program). The program helps investors find an investment adviser. Fidelity is a broker-dealer and is not
affiliated with the Adviser. In connection with this program, the Adviser pays Fidelity for referrals made for
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such client accounts and in connection with certain related accounts that are opened with the Adviser. The
Adviser does not take any new referrals from Fidelity under the WAS Program.
ITEM 15 – CUSTODY
Advisory Clients generally custody their funds and securities in their Advisory Accounts with GS&Co. or
Fidelity. The Adviser is an affiliate of GS&Co. and is not affiliated with Fidelity. However, under the Advisers
Act, the Adviser or its affiliates are “deemed” to have custody of client assets under certain circumstances,
including where the Adviser has a limited power of attorney for Advisory Accounts custodied at third-party
custodians and in the case of Private Family Office clients, in connection with the receipt and redirection of
client checks and provision of bill pay services, which are ancillary non-investment advisory services.
Certain programs and fee models are only available with GS&Co. as the custodian and where Fidelity is
the custodian, investment options are more limited. Specifically, GS&Co. is the only custodian available for
CPP and generally is the only custodial option for new accounts under the Personal Planning service,
except for accounts with assets under management of less than $500,000.
In certain limited situations, Wealth Advisors may serve as the trustee for an account under the Adviser’s
supervision that is not an account for the Wealth Advisor’s family member. In these limited circumstances,
the Adviser can be deemed to have custody even though the Adviser will not allow its Wealth Advisors to
hold, directly or indirectly, the Trustee-client’s funds or securities, nor will the Adviser permit the Wealth
Advisor to obtain possession of the Trustee-client’s funds or securities in connection with advisory services
that the Adviser provides to such Trustee-clients.
Investment Management clients who custody funds and securities with GS&Co. and Fidelity, will receive
periodic account statements from their applicable custodian. Clients who custody funds and securities away
from GS&Co. receive account statements directly from their qualified custodian, and may also receive
periodic account statements and performance reports from the Adviser or its affiliates. Clients should
understand that the statements received from the custodian of their funds or securities are the official
records for their Advisory Accounts.
Clients will receive account statements at least quarterly from their broker-dealer, bank, or other qualified
custodian that holds and maintains clients’ investment assets. It is important in all cases for clients to carefully
review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation, as well as their holdings and
activity. Clients should contact the Adviser directly if they believe that there may be an error in their
statement, or have any questions about any of the transactions, activity, holdings, or fees deducted.
ITEM 16 – INVESTMENT DISCRETION
The Adviser accepts discretionary investment authority to manage certain Advisory Accounts on a client’s
behalf and at the client’s risk. Clients who choose to grant the Adviser discretion are required to sign an
Investment Management agreement and complete account opening documentation that authorizes the
Adviser to supervise and direct the investment of assets in the Advisory Account. The Adviser’s
discretionary authority is limited by the terms of its Investment Management agreement and any written
investment guidelines, including reasonable restrictions agreed to in writing between the Adviser and each
client. The Adviser does not accept discretion over client’s investment accounts and assets as part of its
Financial Planning services and generally does not exercise discretion over Alternative Investments or in
the allocation of insurance premiums.
ITEM 17 – VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Financial Planning does not include proxy voting services.
Fidelity Custody
The Adviser does not accept authority for voting proxies relating to the majority of Advisory Accounts for
which Fidelity is custodian. Under the advisory agreement between the Adviser and these clients, clients
agree to retain the right to vote such proxies. These clients will receive annual reports and proxy materials
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relating to securities held in Advisory Accounts directly from Fidelity and are encouraged to contact Fidelity
to ensure that they receive proxies and other solicitations for securities held in their Advisory Account.
There are a limited number of Advisory Accounts for which Fidelity is custodian for which the Adviser
accepts voting authority, however clients authorize the Adviser to delegate such authority to agents,
subadvisors or one or more proxy voting services, (the “Proxy Service”) as the case may be. In these
circumstances it is the Adviser’s practice to delegate the voting of such proxies. The Adviser uses
unaffiliated Proxy Services to assist in the implementation and administration of certain proxy voting-related
functions for the Advisory Accounts for which the Adviser has voting authority. The Adviser generally will
follow customized proxy voting guidelines developed by an Adviser affiliate and adopted by the Adviser (the
“Ayco Guidelines”) when voting proxies for public equity investments on behalf of these Advisory Accounts.
The Ayco Guidelines address a wide variety of individual topics including, among other matters, shareholder
voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director
compensation, reorganizations, mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and various shareholder
proposals. The Proxy Service also provides support for operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.
The Adviser may use other service providers to replace or supplement the Proxy Service with respect to
any of the services the Adviser currently receives from the Proxy Service. With respect to investment
company (including mutual funds and ETFs) proxies for these accounts, the Adviser has appointed the
Proxy Service to vote proxies in accordance with the Proxy Service voting guidelines.
GS&Co. Custody
The Adviser does not accept authority for voting proxies relating to the majority of Advisory Accounts for
which GS&Co. is custodian. Under the advisory agreement between the Adviser and clients with GS&Co.
custody, clients agree to either (i) retain the right to vote such proxies and receive all annual reports and
proxy materials relating to such shares; or (ii) appoint the Proxy Service as their proxy voting agent to vote
proxies for public equity investments held in Advisory Accounts with GS&Co. custody pursuant to the proxy
voting guidelines developed by a GS&Co. affiliate (the “Goldman Sachs Guidelines”) and to vote investment
company proxies in accordance with the Proxy Service voting guidelines, or separately arrange for the
Proxy Service to vote proxies pursuant to other guidelines. The Goldman Sachs Guidelines and the Adviser
Guidelines are in general substantively the same. By making the Goldman Sachs Guidelines available as
a reference, the Adviser does not act as investment adviser or fiduciary to these clients for proxy voting
matters. There are a limited number of Advisory Accounts for which GS&Co. is custodian for which the
Adviser accepts voting authority; however, clients authorize the Adviser to delegate such authority to
subadvisors, the Proxy Service, or another authorized agent as the case may be. For the GS&Co. custodied
accounts where the Adviser accepts proxy voting authority, the Adviser generally delegates such authority
to the Proxy Service or another authorized agent consistent with the practice described above under the
heading “Fidelity Custody.”
Proxy Voting Policies – General
The Ayco Guidelines are designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions
and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to
its clients because they are pre-established guidelines that are not designed to further the Adviser’s
economic interests. Notwithstanding such proxy voting processes, it is possible that proxy voting decisions
made by the Adviser for securities held by a particular Advisory Account benefit the interests of Goldman
Sachs and/or accounts other than the Advisory Account, provided that the Adviser believes such voting
decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. Examples of material conflicts of interest that
could arise in connection with a proxy voting decision include, without limitation, circumstances in which (i)
Goldman Sachs has business relationships with or other interests in the issuer or another interested party
or (ii) Goldman Sachs personnel have a personal relationship with personnel of the issuer or another
interested party. It is also possible that implementation of the Ayco Guidelines proves detrimental to the
interests of certain advisory clients, for example, clients who have engaged the Adviser for Financial
Planning services and maintain Advisory Accounts or clients that are affiliated with the company whose
proxies are voted. Conflicts of interest relating to proxy voting decisions also arise in situations in which
Goldman Sachs or Advisory Accounts, on the one hand, and a particular Advisory Account, on the other
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hand, invest in or extend credit to the same issuer, but in different parts of the issuer’s capital structure.
See Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading –
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Investments in and Advice Regarding Different Parts of an
Issuer’s Capital Structure.
Clients can obtain information regarding how proxies were voted for a particular Advisory Account or
security by calling their Adviser representative. The Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and the Ayco Guidelines
are available upon request.
If GS&Co. is custodian, it forwards proxy materials directly to clients or the Proxy Service, as applicable,
and forwards notices for class actions and other legal proceedings directly to clients or their appointed
agent. The Adviser recommends that clients promptly review these materials, as they identify important
deadlines and may require action on the client’s part. The Adviser and GS&Co. are not required to notify
unaffiliated custodians or clients who use unaffiliated custodians of proxy notices, shareholder class action
lawsuits, or similar matters related to securities held in their Advisory Accounts. Unless otherwise agreed
to in writing, the Adviser does not render any advice or take any action with respect to securities or other
property currently or formerly held in Advisory Accounts or the issuers thereof that become the subject of
any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies and shareholder class action lawsuits. With respect to
shareholder class action litigation and similar matters, Advisory Account clients are encouraged to contact
their custodians and ensure that they receive notices and are aware of the participation and filing
requirements related to class action and similar proceedings. With the exception of the Adviser’s limited
proxy voting activities described above, the Adviser generally does not render any advice or take any action
with respect to corporate actions relating to securities held in Advisory Accounts, including the right to
participate in or consent to any distribution, plan or reorganization, creditors committee, merger,
combination, consolidation, liquidation, underwriting or similar plan, although affiliates may do so with client
consent in connection with strategies managed by such affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain
Affiliated Managers may render such advice or take such action if specifically agreed in writing, unless
restricted by applicable law or for regulatory reasons, in which case eligible clients will be requested to
direct the Adviser.
ITEM 18 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Adviser has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary
commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
A balance sheet for the Adviser’s fiscal year ending on December 31, 2025 is attached.
101
Glossary
As used in this Brochure, these terms have the following meanings.
“Accounts” means Goldman Sachs’ own accounts, accounts in which personnel have an interest,
Goldman Sachs client accounts, and Affiliated Products that Goldman Sachs sponsors, manages and
advises. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Accounts” includes Advisory Accounts.
“ADR” means American Depositary Receipts.
“ADS” means American Depositary Shares.
“Adviser” means Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
“Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“Advisory Accounts” means client accounts that are managed or advised by the Adviser.
“Advisory Personnel” means Wealth Advisors and Ayco PMG.
“Affiliated Managers” means Managers that are affiliated with Goldman Sachs.
“Affiliated Products” means investment products, including Separately Managed Accounts and pooled
vehicles, managed, sponsored or advised by the Adviser or Goldman Sachs.
“Agency Trading Option” means an alternative trading option under which fixed income trades for certain
fixed income strategies managed by Advisory Personnel generally are executed by GS&Co. on an agency
basis.
“Alternative Investments” means alternative investment products including hedge funds, private equity
funds, venture capital funds, private credit funds, private real estate funds and other private investments.
“APS” means Alternatives Portfolio Services.
“ASA” means The Ayco Services Agency, L.P., a state licensed insurance agency, and an affiliate of the
Adviser.
“ASIA” means The Ayco Services Insurance Agency, Inc., a state licensed insurance agency and an
affiliate of the Adviser.
“ATAS” means Ayco Trust Advisory Service.
“Ayco Guidelines” means the customized proxy voting guidelines developed by an affiliate that the
Adviser has adopted and provided to the Proxy Service for use where the Adviser has voting authority.
“Ayco PMG” means the Ayco Portfolio Management Group, a team of portfolio management personnel
who manage various investment strategies and accounts.
“Asset & Wealth Management” means the wealth management business of Goldman Sachs Asset &
Wealth Management.
“Bank Deposit Cash Sweep” means the cash sweep option available through a client’s Account to
designate free credit balances to be swept to a bank deposit account at GS Bank.
“BHCA” means the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
102
“Brochure” means this Form ADV Part 2A – Financial Planning and Investment Management Services.
“CASP” means the Comprehensive Advisory Services Program fee pricing model in which clients pay an
account advisory fee for the Adviser’s advisory services and separate fees and charges for portfolio
manager fees and Execution Charges.
“CCPA” means the California Consumer Privacy Act.
“Centrally Managed Strategies” means strategies developed, implemented, and managed by Affiliated
or Unaffiliated Managers.
“CFTC” means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
“Code” means the Adviser’s Code of Ethics.
“Co-Investment Opportunities” means Accounts or other persons receiving the opportunity to invest
alongside funds or other Advisory Accounts with respect to one or more investments.
“Community-Based Partner” means a community-based or charitable organization which the Adviser
provides advisory services to.
“Corporate Partner” means an employer, or affinity or membership association or organization with a
corporate/employer or membership organization-sponsored program for which the Adviser provides
advisory services to employees, members or participants.
“CPI” means the Consumer Price Index.
“CPO” means commodity pool operator.
“CPP” means Comprehensive Pricing Program, which is a comprehensive fee model offered by the
Adviser.
“CTA” means commodity trading advisor.
“DMS” means the Discretionary Manager Selection Program, whereby with client authorization, Wealth
Advisors allocate, rebalance and reallocate client assets among Advisory Accounts across agreed-upon
equity and fixed income sub-asset classes (each of which involves a separate agreed-upon fee), including
to Accounts participating in Managed Account Strategies Program.
“Dodd-Frank Act” means the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as
amended.
“ECNs/Trading Venues” means centralized exchanges and trading platforms, electronic communication
networks, alternative trading systems and other similar execution or trading systems or venues.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ESG” means environmental, social, and governance-oriented investing.
“ETFs” means exchange-traded funds.
“Execution Charges” means charges for executing transactions, including but not limited to commissions,
commission equivalents, mark-ups, mark-downs or spreads.
103
“External Products” means investment products, including separately managed accounts and mutual
funds managed, sponsored or advised by Unaffiliated Managers.
“FCM” means futures commission merchant.
“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“Fidelity” means, together, Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and National Financial Services LLC.
“Financial Planning” means the financial planning services provided by the Adviser.
“Fixed Products” means fixed life insurance products and annuity contracts.
“Funds” means an investment company or pooled vehicle, including ETFs.
“Fund Strategies” means the Advisory Mutual Fund Strategies program.
“FRBNY” means Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“GOAS” means Goldman Sachs Option Advisory Services.
“GOAS Account” means an actively managed option strategy involving listed and/or OTC call and/or put
options, including collars and put spread collars managed by GOAS.
“Goldman Sachs” means The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the Adviser, GS&Co. and their respective
affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees.
“Goldman Sachs Ayco PWA” means a Goldman Sachs Ayco private wealth advisor.
“Goldman Sachs Guidelines” means customized proxy voting guidelines developed by an affiliate, which
Goldman Sachs has provided to the Proxy Service for use when appointed by clients as their voting proxy.
“Goldman Sachs Wealth Services” means Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P. (formerly known as
The Ayco Company. L.P.).
“GSAM” means Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., an investment adviser registered with the SEC,
and an affiliate of the Adviser.
“GSAM ETFs” means ETFs for which GSAM or its affiliates act as investment adviser.
“GSAMI” means Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, a registered investment adviser with
the SEC and an affiliate of the Adviser.
“GS&Co.” means Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser with the
SEC, and an affiliate of the Adviser.
“GS Bank” means Goldman Sachs Bank USA.
“GS DAF” means GS Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management, Inc. (formerly Goldman
Sachs Philanthropy Fund).
“GS Group” means The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
“GS PFM” means United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC d/b/a Goldman Sachs Personal Financial
Management, and refers to GS PFM business conducted prior to the change in control and acquisition by
Creative Planning, LLC, an unaffiliated third party, on November 3, 2023.
104
“GSTC” means The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A.
“GSTD” means The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware.
“Hybrid Securities” means deeply subordinated long-term debt.
“IBORs” means other interbank offered rates.
“iCapital” means iCapital Advisors, LLC, a third party platform provider for Alternative Investments.
“Index” means a stock market or other index developed or co-developed by Goldman Sachs and a third
party.
“Investment Management” means the investment management services provided by the Adviser.
“IPOs” means initial public offerings and new issues.
“IRA” means individual retirement account.
“IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“ISG” means the Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management Investment Strategy Group.
“LIBOR” means the London Interbank Offered Rate.
“Managed Account Strategies Program” means GS&Co.’s wrap fee program.
“Managed Strategy” means Separately Managed Accounts and/or Centrally Managed Strategies,
excluding any mutual funds or ETFs.
“Managed Strategy Fees” means fees that compensate the Managers of each Managed Strategy in the
client’s account.
“Managers” means Affiliated or Unaffiliated Managers that manage client assets on a discretionary basis
under one or more investment strategies.
“Marketing Rule” means SEC Marketing Rule (Rules 206(4)-1 and 204-2 of the Advisers Act).
“Mercer Allied” means Mercer Allied Company, L.P., a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, and an
affiliate of the Adviser.
“MLPs” means master limited partnerships.
“NAV” means net asset value.
“OTC” means over-the-counter.
“Personal Wealth” means investment management and limited Financial Planning services available to
clients who generally do not have another Financial Planning relationship with the Adviser, but who have
the potential to have at least $1,000,000 held in an Advisory Account.
“PPM” means private placement memorandum.
“Prime Services” means the Goldman Sachs business that provides prime brokerage, administrative and
other services.
105
“Primary Vehicles” means one or more funds or other Advisory Accounts intended to be focused on by
GSAM, or receive priority with respect to, a particular strategy or type of investment.
“Proxy Service” means the proxy voting service the Adviser retains to assist with the implementation and
administration of certain proxy voting-related functions for the Advisory Accounts for which the Adviser has
voting authority or that clients may appoint as their proxy voting agent where the Adviser does not have
voting authority.
“PWM” means the Private Wealth Management group of GS&Co.
“PWM PWA” means a PWM private wealth advisor.
“Related Parties” means individuals with a familial relation to a client, typically the client’s spouse, partner,
and/or dependents, who may participate in the client’s Financial Planning, but with whom the Adviser
maintains no contractual or
investment advisory relationship and, accordingly, undertakes no
corresponding fiduciary duty.
“Retirement Accounts” means IRAs under IRC Section 408 or 408A, tax-qualified retirement plans
(including Keogh plans) under IRC Section 401(a), pension plans and other employee pension benefit plans
subject to ERISA.
“Retirement Regulations” means ERISA, together with the IRC.
“SD” means swap dealer.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities-Based Loans” means loans obtained through certain affiliated and unaffiliated lenders for
which clients are able to pledge account assets as collateral.
“Separately Managed Accounts” means portfolios of individual securities managed on the client’s behalf
by an asset management firm such as GSAM.
“Tactical Tilts” means tactical investment ideas derived from short-term market views.
“Third-Party Funds” means mutual funds and ETFs that are managed, sponsored or advised by
investment managers or organizations that are not affiliated with Goldman Sachs.
“Third-Party Professionals” means unaffiliated third-party professionals.
“Trustee-clients” means accounts for which certain Wealth Advisors separately serve as trustees.
“Unaffiliated Managers” means Managers that are unaffiliated with Goldman Sachs. For purposes of this
Brochure, “Unaffiliated Managers” include (i) investment advisers that are not controlled by Goldman Sachs,
but in which certain Goldman Sachs-advised accounts hold equity, profits or other interests and (ii)
investment advisers with which Goldman Sachs has business relationships.
“Variable Products” means variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.
“Variable Subaccounts” means separate accounts underlying Variable Products.
“Volcker Rule” means the Volcker Rule contained within the Dodd-Frank Act.
“WAS” means Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® program.
106
“Wealth Advisors” means the Adviser’s advisory personnel who provide advisory services directly to
clients.
“XIG” means External Investing Group of GSAM.
“XIG Program Fund” means investment vehicles managed by XIG that invest substantially all of their
assets in primary investments in underlying funds managed by Unaffiliated Managers.
107
Appendix A
Table 1. Strategy Based Advisory Fees & Custodian Availability
These fees are subject to change and negotiation. See Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.
Strategy
Asset Level
Annual Fee
Account
Minimum
Custodian
Availability
Fidelity GS&Co.
0.85%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
0.75%
0.65%
$25-50 million
> $50,000
–
(cid:57)
0.55%
$50-100 million
Ayco Portfolio Solution® –
Traditional
0.50%
$100-250 million
0.45%
$250-500 million
More than $500 million
0.40%
1.00%
$0-10 million
0.90%
$10-25 million
0.80%
$25-50 million
> $50,000
–
(cid:57)(cid:3)
0.70%
$50-100 million
Ayco Portfolio Solution® –
Alternative
0.65%
$100-250 million
0.60%
$250-500 million
0.55%
More than $500 million
1.00%
$0-10 million
1.00%
$10-25 million
1.00%
$25-50 million
> $50,000
–
(cid:57)
1.00%
$50-100 million
Ayco Portfolio Solution® –
Income Opportunity
1.00%
$100-250 million
1.00%
$250-500 million
1.00%
More than $500 million
1.45%
$0-10 million
0.90%
$10-25 million
0.80%
$25-50 million
> $50,000
–
(cid:57)
0.70%
$50-100 million
Ayco Portfolio Solution® –
Foreign Opportunity
0.65%
$100-250 million
0.60%
$250-500 million
0.55%
More than $500 million
108
Strategy
Asset Level
Annual Fee
Account
Minimum
Custodian
Availability
Fidelity GS&Co.
0.85%
$0-10 million
0.75%
$10-25 million
0.65%
$25-50 million
> $50,000
–
(cid:57)
Core Satellite1
0.55%
$50-100 million
0.50%
$100-250 million
0.45%
$250-500 million
0.40%
More than $500 million
0.85%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
0.75%
0.65%
$25-50 million
> $500,000
–
(cid:57)
Core Complement – Moderate2
0.55%
$50-100 million
0.50%
$100-250 million
0.45%
$250-500 million
More than $500 million
0.40%
0.85%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
0.75%
0.65%
$25-50 million
> $750,000
–
(cid:57)
Core Complement – Growth2
$50-100 million
0.55%
$100-250 million
0.50%
$250-500 million
0.45%
More than $500 million
0.40%
0.80%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
0.70%
0.60%
$25-50 million
> $750,000
–
(cid:57)
0.50%
$50-100 million
Core Complement –
Conservative2
0.45%
$100-250 million
0.40%
$250-500 million
More than $500 million
0.35%
1.10%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
1.00%
0.90%
$25-50 million
> $250,000
(cid:57)
(cid:57)
Core Complement – Equity
0.80%
$50-100 million
0.75%
$100-250 million
0.70%
$250-500 million
0.65%
More than $500 million
1 Strategy closed to new investors as of January 2023
2 These strategies can include fixed income sub-accounts managed by GSAM; the fixed income sub-accounts are
subject to the same fees.
109
Strategy
Asset Level
Annual Fee
Account
Minimum
Custodian
Availability
Fidelity GS&Co.
1.40%
$0-10 million
$10-25 million
0.80%
0.70%
$25-50 million
> $25,000
–
(cid:57)
0.60%
$50-100 million
GS Managed Investments –
Active Managed3
0.55%
$100-250 million
0.50%
$250-500 million
More than $500 million
0.45%
1.40%
$0-10 million
0.80%
$10-25 million
0.70%
$25-50 million
> $25,0005
(cid:57)
(cid:57)
Managed ETF Strategies2,4
0.60%
$50-100 million
0.55%
$100-250 million
0.50%
$250-500 million
More than $500 million
0.45%
1.40%
$0-10 million
0.80%
$10-25 million
0.70%
$25-50 million
> $25,000
(cid:57)(cid:3)
(cid:57)(cid:3)
Strategic Core3
$50-100 million
0.60%
$100-250 million
0.55%
$250-500 million
0.50%
More than $500 million
0.45%
For Retirement Accounts where the client agrees to separate fee schedule for each strategy, the maximum
advisory fee is 1.5%. Clients will be charged the same fee for all strategies regardless of the strategy
selected.
For certain clients who receive Personal Planning and whose managed accounts are below $500,000,
and where the client agrees to a separate fee schedule for each strategy, the advisory fee is not expected
to exceed 0.850% for all strategies regardless of the strategy selected.
3 Available to Personal Planning clients with assets under management of less than $500,000; only available through
Fidelity as custodian
4 This fee may be lower in instances of Corporate Sponsored or negotiated rates
5 The minimum requirements vary for the Managed ETF Strategies and may be negotiated and altogether waived at
the Adviser’s sole discretion
110
Table 2. Advisory Accounts Managed by Wealth Advisors and for
Certain Goldman Sachs Ayco Institutional Client Services Accounts
Clients with Advisory Accounts managed by Wealth Advisors may agree to a single advisory fee for all
asset classes or separate fees for different strategies. Participating funds in the Advisory Mutual Fund
Strategies Program will follow the rates outlined in Table 2.B and are not subject to the rates in Table 2.A
below. These fees are also applicable to legacy institutional client accounts managed by Ayco PMG, but
does not include strategies listed in Table 1 above.
A.
Single Advisory Fee Structure Separate Advisory Fee Structure (Asset Based)
Total Assets
Equity
Index Oriented Other (including fixed
Asset Level
$0-$10 million
1.400%
$10-$25 million
0.800%
$25-$50 million
0.700%
$50-$100 million
0.600%
$100-$250 million
0.550%
0.500%
$250-$500 million
More than $500 million 0.450%
1.700%
1.150%
1.050%
0.950%
0.900%
0.850%
0.800%
1.400%
0.800%
0.700%
0.600%
0.550%
0.500%
0.450%
income)
0.750%
0.550%
0.500%
0.450%
0.400%
0.350%
0.300%
B. Advisory Mutual Fund Strategies Program
Clients who participate in the Advisory Mutual Fund Strategies Program pay the following investment
advisory fees on their investments in participating funds:
Equity Asset Class
Active Core Equity
Active Satellite Equity, Real Estate Equity
All/SMid Equity
Dynamic Equity
Annual Fee
0.500%
0.550%
0.550%
0.650%
Fixed Income Asset Class
Core Fixed Income
Multi-Sector Fixed Income
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income
Other Fixed Income
Annual Fee
0.350%
0.400%
0.500%
0.500%
111
Table 3. Comprehensive Advisory Services Program (“CASP”) Fees
For CASP Advisory Accounts, the advisory fee charged by Adviser is calculated as a percentage of assets
under management in accordance with the tiered pricing schedule set forth below.
Asset Level
First $10 million
Next $15 million
Next $25 million
Next $50 million
Next $150 million
Next $250 million
More than $500 million
Annual Fee
1.500%
0.800%
0.700%
0.600%
0.500%
0.450%
0.400%
CASP Portfolio Manager Fee for Adviser, its Affiliates or Unaffiliated Managers
listed
in
the Fees and Execution Charges section on
to
for access
In addition to the CASP advisory fees set forth above, clients who participate in CASP are subject
to portfolio manager fees for strategies managed by Adviser, its affiliates or unaffiliated portfolio
the Client Web
managers, as
(https://www.goldman.com). Contact your Wealth Advisor
information
this
electronically via the Client Web or to receive a paper copy of the information provided on the
website.
112
Goldman Sachs Wealth
Services, L.P.
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2025
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
December 31, 2025
INDEX
Page No.
Report of Independent Auditors 1
Balance Sheet 3
Notes to the Balance Sheet 4
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Balance Sheet
As of
December 2025
$ in thousands
Assets
Cash
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $2,330)
Prepaid expenses
Receivables due from affiliates
Property, leasehold improvements and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
Investments in affiliates
Goodwill
Customer relationships, net
Other assets
$ 2,573
57,130
1,915
205,717
36,209
36,727
12,138
273,173
2,365
4,631
Total assets
$ 632,578
Liabilities and partners' capital
Accrued compensation and benefits
Payables due to affiliates
Deferred income
Other liabilities and accrued expenses
Income taxes payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Lease liabilities
Pensions, postretirement and deferred compensation liabilities
$ 126,982
120,749
716
7,925
23,079
19,431
38,102
4,075
Total liabilities
341,059
Commitments, contingencies and guarantees
Partners' capital
291,519
Total liabilities and partners' capital
$ 632,578
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this balance sheet.
3
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Note 1.
Description of Business
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P. (the Partnership), a Delaware limited partnership, is an indirectly
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Group Inc.), a Delaware corporation. The
Partnership’s sole partners are GS Ayco Holding LLC and Saratoga Springs LLC. In March 2025, the
Partnership changed its legal entity name from The Ayco Company, L.P. to Goldman Sachs Wealth
Services, L.P. to better reflect the nature of the business and further align with Group Inc. The
Partnership is engaged in the business of providing professional services which include financial
counseling, tax return preparation, asset management, trust and estate planning and corporate benefit
plan services to corporate and individual clients primarily throughout the United States.
Business Segment
The Partnership’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) is its chief executive officer. The CODM
reviews financial information and makes strategic decisions for the Partnership principally based on net
earnings. The Partnership’s operations constitute a single operating segment and therefore, a single
reportable segment, because the CODM manages the business activities using information about the
Partnership as a whole.
The accounting policies used to prepare the operating results and other metrics for the segment are
consistent with those described in Note 3. The vast majority of the Partnership’s net revenues are
generated in the Americas. The Partnership enters into transactions with and generates net revenues
from Group Inc. and affiliates in the normal course of business. See Note 11 for further information about
transactions with related parties.
Note 2.
Basis of Presentation
This financial statement is prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States (U.S. GAAP) and all references to 2025 refer to the Partnership’s year ended, or the date,
as the context requires, December 31, 2025.
Note 3.
Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
Preparation of this balance sheet requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions, the
most important of which relate to accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, provisions for
losses that may arise from litigation and regulatory proceedings, accounting for income taxes, actuarial
assumptions for postretirement benefits and the allowance for credit losses. These estimates and
assumptions are based on the best available information, but actual results could be materially different.
Cash
Cash balances are maintained at various institutions, some of which are insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation to the extent provided by law. As of December 2025, the Partnership had $2,056
held in banks in excess of the insured limits.
4
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consists primarily of amounts owed by clients for financial-related services,
counseling fees, management fees, and advisory fees. These receivables are accounted for at amortized
cost net of any allowance for credit losses, which generally approximates fair value. The Partnership
estimates credit losses generally based on delinquency status of the receivables and charges off
amounts deemed uncollectible. The Partnership recorded an allowance for credit losses of $2,330 as of
December 2025.
The carrying amount of accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the
instruments. Had these receivables been included in the Partnership’s fair value hierarchy, all receivables
would have been classified in level 2 as of December 2025 since the inputs in the valuation are
observable.
Property, Leasehold Improvements and Equipment
Property, leasehold improvements and equipment are stated net of accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the
asset. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of
the improvement or the term of the lease. Significant additions or improvements extending the assets’
useful lives are capitalized. Capitalized costs of software developed or obtained for internal use are
amortized on a straight-line basis over three years.
The Partnership tests property, leasehold improvements and equipment for impairment when events or
changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully
recoverable. To the extent the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds the projected
undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposal of the asset or asset
group, the Partnership determines the asset or asset group is impaired and records an impairment equal
to the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset or asset group.
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets
The Partnership enters into operating leases for real estate used in connection with its operations. For
leases longer than one year, the Partnership recognizes a right-of-use asset representing the right to use
the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability representing the liability to make payments.
The lease term is generally determined based on the contractual maturity of the lease. For leases where
the Partnership has the option to terminate or extend the lease, an assessment of the likelihood of
exercising the option is incorporated into the determination of the lease term. Such assessment is initially
performed at the inception of the lease and is updated if events occur that impact the original
assessment.
An operating lease right-of-use asset is initially determined based on the operating lease liability, adjusted
for initial direct costs, lease incentives and amounts paid at or prior to lease commencement. This amount
is then amortized over the lease term. See Note 8 for information about operating lease liabilities.
For leases where the Partnership will derive no economic benefit from leased space that it has vacated or
where the Partnership has shortened the term of a lease when space is no longer needed, the
Partnership will record an impairment or accelerated amortization of right-of-use assets. There were no
material impairments or accelerated amortizations during 2025.
5
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Investments in Affiliates
The Partnership owns 99% of Ayco Services Agency, L.P. and Mercer Allied Company, L.P. but does not
have a controlling interest in these entities. The controlling interest is maintained by the General Partner,
GS Ayco Holding LLC, which holds all voting rights. Investments in affiliates are reported using the equity
method of accounting.
Goodwill
The goodwill balance relates to the acquisition of the Partnership, and its affiliates, by GS Ayco
Holding LLC on July 1, 2003. Goodwill is the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net
assets, including identifiable intangible assets, at the acquisition date.
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events occur or
circumstances change that indicate an impairment may exist. The Partnership consists of a single
reporting unit, and as such, the assessment of goodwill for impairment is performed at the overall
Partnership level. When assessing goodwill for impairment, first, a qualitative assessment can be made
to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of the Partnership is less than
its carrying value. If the results of the qualitative assessment are not conclusive, a quantitative goodwill
test is performed. Alternatively, a quantitative goodwill test can be performed without performing a
qualitative assessment.
The quantitative goodwill test compares the estimated fair value of the Partnership with its carrying value
(including goodwill and identifiable intangible assets). If the Partnership’s estimated fair value exceeds its
carrying value, goodwill is not impaired. An impairment is recognized if the estimated fair value of the
Partnership is less than its carrying value.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, goodwill was tested for impairment using a quantitative test. The
estimated fair value of the Partnership exceeded its carrying value, and therefore, goodwill was not
impaired. The Partnership uses a price-to-earnings multiple of comparable competitors to the
Partnership’s net earnings to estimate fair value because the Partnership believes market participants
would use this technique to value the Partnership.
Customer Relationships
Customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method.
The Partnership tests customer relationships for impairment when events or changes in circumstances
suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. To the extent the
carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to
result from the use and eventual disposal of the asset or asset group, the Partnership determines the
asset or asset group is impaired and records an impairment equal to the difference between the
estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset or asset group. There were no impairments during
2025.
Deferred Income
The Partnership recognizes revenue in the period in which the service is provided; any revenue received
in advance of the service period is deferred. Deferred income of $716 consists of the unearned portion of
amounts invoiced for financial counseling services.
6
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASC 740)
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” that
requires certain incremental disclosures. This ASU became effective for the Partnership for annual
periods beginning in 2025. Since this ASU only requires additional disclosures, adoption of this ASU did
not have an impact on the Partnership’s balance sheet.
Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets (ASC 326)
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-05, “Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts
Receivable and Contract Assets.” This ASU simplifies the estimation of credit losses on accounts
receivable and contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under ASC 606, “Revenue from
Contracts with Customers,” by providing companies an option to assume that the conditions as of the
balance sheet date will remain unchanged for the remaining life of these assets while estimating expected
credit losses. This ASU is effective for the Partnership beginning in January 2026 under a prospective
approach. Adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s balance sheet.
Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software (ASC 350)
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, “Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for
Internal-Use Software.” This ASU eliminates the requirement to consider the project stage of an internal-
use software under development while capitalizing its development costs. Instead, under the ASU,
companies are required to capitalize internal-use software development costs when management
authorizes and commits to fund the software development project, and it is probable that the project will
be completed and the software will be used as intended. This ASU is effective for the Partnership
beginning in January 2028 under a prospective, retrospective or a modified approach. Early adoption is
permitted. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s balance
sheet.
Note 4.
Property, Leasehold Improvements and Equipment
As of December 2025, property, leasehold improvements and equipment that the Partnership uses in
connection with its operations consist of the following:
Leasehold improvements
Internal-use software
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Assets in progress
Total gross carrying value
Less accumulated depreciation
Total net carrying value
$ 33,757
38,385
15,238
6,330
93,710
(57,501)
$ 36,209
7
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Note 5.
Customer Relationships
The following table sets forth the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net carrying
amounts of the customer relationships as of December 2025:
Gross carrying amount
Accumulated amortization
Net carrying amount
$ 166,121
(163,756)
$ 2,365
The customer relationships are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of 12 to 22 years. The
remaining lives as of December 2025 of customer relationships is approximately 5.5 years.
Note 6.
Income Taxes
In July 2025, H.R.1, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), was signed into law. OBBBA
permanently extends and modifies certain domestic and international provisions from 2017’s Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act and phases out certain Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 incentives for investments in clean
energy. Certain domestic provisions have retroactive effects beginning in 2025. The OBBBA legislation
did not have a material impact on the firm for 2025.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets
and liabilities.
The Partnership is treated as a single member limited liability company, and considered a disregarded
branch of Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, for U.S. federal tax purposes. As a disregarded branch of
a corporation, the Partnership has elected to accrue its share of U.S. federal, state and local income tax.
The Partnership is included with Group Inc. and subsidiaries in the consolidated corporate federal tax
returns, as well as consolidated/combined state and local tax returns. The Partnership computes its tax
liability on a modified separate company basis and settles such liabilities with Group Inc. pursuant to a tax
sharing arrangement. To the extent the Partnership generates tax benefits from losses it will be
reimbursed by Group Inc. pursuant to the tax sharing arrangement. The Partnership’s state and local tax
liabilities are allocated to reflect its share of the consolidated/combined state and local income tax liability.
As of December 2025, the Partnership’s income tax payable in the balance sheet was $23,079.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting
and tax bases of assets and liabilities. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible
amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such
differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets
to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Deferred taxes are recorded in the balance sheet
until the underlying temporary differences reverse and the taxes become currently payable or receivable.
As of December 2025, the Partnership had net deferred tax liabilities of $19,431 related to deferred tax
liabilities on tax amortization of customer relationships and goodwill of $70,467 and operating lease right-
of-use assets of $9,627, offset by deferred tax assets related to deferred compensation of $49,868,
operating lease liabilities of $9,853 and other book tax differences of $942. No valuation allowance is
required as it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be utilized.
8
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The Partnership recognizes tax positions in the balance sheet only when it is more likely than not that the
position will be sustained on examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits of
the position. A position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will
more likely than not be realized on settlement. A liability is established for differences between positions
taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the balance sheet. As of December 2025, the
Partnership did not record a liability related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes.
Regulatory Tax Examinations
The Partnership is subject to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other taxing
authorities in jurisdictions where the Partnership has significant business operations, such as New York
State and City. The tax years under examination vary by jurisdiction.
Group Inc. has been accepted into the Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) program by the IRS for
each of the tax years from 2013 through 2026. This program allows Group Inc. to work with the IRS to
identify and resolve potential U.S. federal tax issues before the filing of tax returns. All issues addressed
through the CAP program for the 2011 through 2018 tax years have been resolved and completion is
pending final review by the Joint Committee on Taxation. All issues for the 2019 through 2022 tax years
have been resolved and will be effectively settled pending administrative completion by the IRS. Final
completion of tax years 2011 through 2022 will not have a material impact on the effective tax rate. The
2023 and 2024 tax years remain subject to post-filing review.
New York State and City examinations of tax years 2015 through 2018 commenced during 2021. All
years, including and subsequent to 2015 for New York State and City, and all other significant states,
remain open to examination by the taxing authorities. The Partnership believes that no liability for
unrecognized tax benefits is required to be established in relation to the potential for additional
assessments.
Note 7.
Employee Benefit Plans
Postretirement Benefits
The Partnership provides postretirement health benefits to individuals who were fully eligible to retire as
of December 31, 2020, the date the plan closed to new participants. The Partnership has limited the
annual benefit under the plan to $1,000 per year per participant. Any premiums in excess of $1,000 must
be paid for by the retiree.
As of December 2025, accumulated other comprehensive income, included in partners’ capital in the
balance sheet, is comprised of an unrecognized loss of $532 and unrecognized prior service income of
$714.
9
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
The following table sets forth the funded status of the postretirement health benefit plan and amount
recognized in the balance sheet:
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
Plan assets at fair value
Unfunded liability
Liability recognized in the balance sheet
$ 3,957
-
3,957
$ 3,957
For the year ended December 2025, the projected benefit obligation increased in the aggregate by
$1,073 due primarily to a change in demographic assumptions and the impact of a decrease in the
discount rate from 5.76% as of December 2024 to 5.67% as of December 2025.
Weighted-average assumptions and other benefit information as of December 2025:
Discount rate
Benefit cost
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
5.67%
$ 108
103
103
The following table sets forth benefit payments projected to be paid from the Partnership’s postretirement
health benefit plan and reflects expected future service, where appropriate:
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031 – thereafter
$ 195
209
222
235
245
1,345
Other Employee Benefits
The Partnership maintains a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for eligible employees. The cost of
such plan is accrued over the period of active employment from the employee’s participation date in the
plan. As of December 2025, the deferred compensation payable amount was $118.
Group Inc. maintains a deferred compensation (401(k)) plan which covers substantially all employees of
the Partnership and a defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees of the Partnership. The
Partnership is allocated a prorata share of the expenses from Group Inc. for these plans.
Generally, the Partnership determines the discount rate for postretirement benefits by referencing indices
for long-term, high quality bonds and ensuring that the discount rate does not exceed the yield reported
for those indices after adjustment for the duration of the plan’s liability.
10
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Note 8.
Operating Lease Liabilities
For leases longer than one year, the Partnership recognizes a right-of-use asset representing the right to
use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability representing the liability to make
payments. See Note 3 for information about operating lease right-of-use assets.
The table below presents information about operating lease liabilities as of December 2025:
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031 – thereafter
Total undiscounted lease payments
Imputed interest
Total operating lease liabilities
$ 3,836
3,622
3,619
3,363
3,096
28,701
46,237
(8,135)
$ 38,102
Weighted average remaining lease term
Weighted average discount rate
13.39 years
2.99%
In the table above, the weighted average discount rate represents the Partnership’s incremental
borrowing rate as of the date of adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, for operating leases
existing on the date of adoption and as of the lease inception date for leases entered into subsequent to
the adoption of this ASU.
Note 9.
Employee Incentive Plans
The cost of employee services received in exchange for a share-based award is generally measured
based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Share-based awards that do not require future service
(i.e., vested awards, including awards granted to retirement-eligible employees) are expensed
immediately. Share-based awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service
period. Forfeitures are recorded when they occur. Cash dividend equivalents are paid on outstanding
restricted stock units (RSUs).
Stock Incentive Plan
Group Inc. sponsors a stock incentive plan, The Goldman Sachs Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan (2025) (2025 SIP), which provides for grants of RSUs, restricted stock, dividend equivalent rights,
incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other share-based
awards, each of which may be subject to terms and conditions, including performance or market
conditions. On April 23, 2025, Group Inc.’s shareholders approved the 2025 SIP. The 2025 SIP is a
successor to several predecessor stock incentive plans, the first of which was adopted on April 30, 1999,
and each of which was approved by Group Inc.’s shareholders. The 2025 SIP is scheduled to terminate
on the date of Group Inc.’s 2029 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
11
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Restricted Stock Units
Group Inc. grants RSUs to employees, which are generally valued based on the closing price of the
underlying shares on the date of grant, after taking into account a liquidity discount for any applicable
post-vesting and delivery transfer restrictions. The value of equity awards also considers the impact of
material non-public information, if any, that Group Inc. expects to make available shortly following grant.
RSUs generally vest and underlying shares of common stock deliver (net of required withholding tax) over
a three-year period as outlined in the applicable award agreements. Award agreements generally provide
that vesting is accelerated in certain circumstances, such as on retirement, death, disability and, in certain
cases, conflicted employment. Delivery of the underlying shares of common stock is conditioned on the
grantees satisfying certain vesting and other requirements outlined in the award agreements. The
subsequent amortization of the cost of these RSUs is allocated to the Partnership by Group Inc.
The table below presents the 2025 activity related to stock settled RSUs:
Restricted Stock
Units Outstanding
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value of
Restricted Stock
Units Outstanding
Future
Service
Required
33,803
33,170
(821)
-
(38,584)
Beginning balance
Granted
Forfeited
Delivered
Vested
Transfers
Ending balance
No Future
Service
Required
250,334
78,353
(2,777)
(142,535)
38,584
(164) 4,064
226,023
27,404
Future
Service
Required
$ 368.27
$ 611.85
$ 471.77
$ -
$ 457.30
$ 534.85
$ 533.63
No Future
Service
Required
$ 356.72
$ 603.73
$ 432.36
$ 352.72
$ 457.30
$ 399.40
$ 460.85
In the table above:
(cid:120) The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted was $606.14 during 2025. The grant-
date fair value of these RSUs included an average liquidity discount of 1.12% during 2025 to reflect
post-vesting and delivery transfer restrictions, generally of 1 year.
(cid:120) The aggregate fair value of awards that vested was $78,499 during 2025.
In relation to 2025 year-end, during the first quarter of 2026, Group Inc. granted to the Partnership’s
employees 87,178 RSUs (of which 24,267 RSUs require future service as a condition of delivery for the
related shares of common stock). These RSUs are subject to additional conditions as outlined in the
award agreements. Shares underlying these RSUs, net of required withholding tax, generally are
delivered over a three-year period and are generally subject to a one-year post-vesting and delivery
transfer restriction. These awards are not included in the table above.
12
Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P.
Notes to the Balance Sheet
$ in thousands
Note 10.
Legal Proceedings
The Partnership is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings concerning
matters arising in connection with the conduct of the Partnership’s businesses. Many of these
proceedings are in early stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages.
Management is generally unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for matters, including
where (i) actual or potential plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of money damages, except in those
instances where management can otherwise determine an appropriate amount, (ii) matters are in early
stages, (iii) there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class being certified or the ultimate size of the
class, (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (v) there are significant
factual issues to be resolved, and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues presented. Management does not
believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of such matters will have a material
adverse effect on the Partnership’s balance sheet.
Note 11.
Related Party Transactions
The Partnership has significant transactions with affiliated companies. These transactions have a
significant impact on the Partnership’s balance sheet.
As of December 2025, receivables due from affiliates included a loan receivable from an affiliate in the
amount of $149,458. The interest on the loan receivable is based on prevailing market rates, computed at
an internal cost of funds (5.27% as of December 2025) and is payable on demand. The carrying value of
the loan approximates fair value. Receivables due from affiliates also include outstanding balances
related to Partnership revenue collected by subsidiaries of Group Inc., certain counseling services the
Partnership provided to partners of Group Inc., as well as operational and administrative support provided
to the Partnership’s subsidiaries. As of December 2025, amounts due from affiliates for such services
amounted to $56,259.
The Partnership reimburses subsidiaries of Group Inc. for cash payments made on its behalf for
employee compensation and benefits. In addition, the Partnership reimburses Group Inc. for share
issuances to Partnership employees under the restricted stock units program, discussed in Note 9. As of
December 2025, amounts due to Group Inc. and affiliates were recorded within payables due to affiliates
amounting to $120,749.
During 2025, $148,000 was paid to the Partnership’s sole partners in equity distributions.
Note 12.
Subsequent Events
The Partnership evaluated subsequent events through March 24, 2026, the date the balance sheet was
issued, and determined that there were no material events or transactions that would require recognition
or additional disclosure in the balance sheet.
13