Goldman Sachs Ayco (formerly known as The Ayco Company) is a fee-based advisory firm that has been part of The Goldman Sachs Group since 2003. The firm is headquartered in Cohoes, New York, though its advisory services are also available through offices of its affiliate, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.
The firm manages assets for non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and corporations. The firm offers employer-sponsored financial counseling, investment management and family office services. Most of its advisors are also broker-dealer representatives and many are insurance agents, too.
Goldman Sachs Ayco Background
When Goldman Sachs Ayco was first founded as The Ayco Company, the founders were Bill Aydelotte and Jim Conway. Formed in 1971, the company originally offered corporate-sponsored financial counseling to executives, but it expanded to all employees a decade later. As mentioned earlier, Goldman Sachs became the primary owner of the firm in 2003 and they have now rebranded the firm as of 2025.
Goldman Sachs Ayco Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Goldman Sachs Ayco doesn't impose an account minimum for clients who receive discretionary management. However, the wrap fee program the firm sponsors requires a minimum investment of $100,000, while family office services also require a minimum investment. Financial counseling clients are not required to open an investment account.
The firm’s institutional clients include endowments, public charities, private foundations and other nonprofit organizations as well. For these clients, there is a $2 million investment minimum.
Services Offered by Goldman Sachs Ayco
Goldman Sachs Ayco offers a wide range of financial services tailored to individual, family and corporate needs. Their services include comprehensive financial planning, which covers estate, tax and retirement planning, as well as investment management. Ayco provides tailored advice to corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals and employees of corporate partners, offering programs such as Executive Wealth, Financial Wellness and Personal Planning.
The firm also manages wrap fee accounts and discretionary and non-discretionary investment portfolios through its Private Access Account Strategies, giving clients access to various managers and asset classes. Additionally, they offer specialized services like Family Office support, philanthropic planning, and survivor benefits assistance.
Goldman Sachs Ayco's Investing Philosophy
Goldman Sachs Ayco employs a client-centered, research-driven investment philosophy that emphasizes tailored asset allocation and diversification. The advisors use strategic and tactical models created by Goldman Sachs’ Investment Strategy Group (ISG) to build client portfolios. The firm's investment strategies include structured investment products, equities, fixed-income securities and alternatives like options and private equity.
Additionally, the firm integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors where relevant. Portfolios are monitored and periodically rebalanced to align with clients' risk profiles and objectives, aiming to achieve growth, income, and capital preservation across diverse market environments.
Fees Under Goldman Sachs Ayco
Goldman Sachs charges fees for financial planning services that vary depending on the client’s needs and arrangements with Corporate Partners. Generally, the firm's annual financial planning fees for individual clients range from $2,500 to $100,000, with adjustments for regional factors or specific office locations. Clients affiliated with Corporate Partners may receive discounted or waived fees, depending on corporate agreements. Additionally, Goldman Sachs Ayco offers hourly rates for financial planning, typically between $280 and $600. For specialized Private Family Office services, the firm charges a minimum annual fee of $125,000, plus any setup fees for customized services.
Goldman Sachs Ayco generally charges investment management fees as a percentage of assets under management, with the specific rate determined by the investment strategy chosen. Clients enrolled in the firm's wrap fee program will pay an asset-based fee that can range from 0.74% to 1.34%, based on the asset classes they hold in their portfolios.
What to Watch Out For
In its most recent SEC filings, Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, L.P. reported 18 disclosures.
Because many of the firm's advisors are also broker-dealer representatives and/or insurance agents, they may earn sales commissions on certain transactions. While this creates a potential conflict of interest, the firm must always act in your best interests.
Opening an Account with Goldman Sachs Ayco
To become a client of Goldman Sachs Ayco, try calling (518) 886-4000. You can also find the firm at its Cohoes, New York, headquarters or one of its office locations in Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Boston or a number of other cities.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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