Goldman Sachs Severance Package in Washington 2026

The numbers for a typical Goldman Sachs employee in Washington

Typical formula

Discretionary, not formulaic: Goldman has no SEC-filed severance plan (unlike CVS or Citi's CAP plan). NY norm: ~60 days continued 'active employment' at full base + benefits, then ~5 weeks base-pay severance + tenure-based extension. By level (employee-reported via Fortune, eFinancialCareers, SimpleSeverance): Analyst/Associate 4-8 weeks, VP 3-6 months, Director/MD 6-12+ months, Partner discretionary (typically 12+ months with deferred-comp negotiation). Bonuses EXCLUDED by default.

Average annual salary

$200,000

Example: 16-week gross

$61,538

Washington state withholding

0.0%

Federal supplemental

22.0%

Combined withholding

22.0%

Net take-home (16-week example, before FICA)

$48,000

Worked example uses Goldman Sachs's average salary of $200,000 and a 16-week severance period. Your actual package depends on tenure, role level, and the specific terms of your separation agreement. Use the calculator below for your personal numbers.

Washington-specific protections for Goldman Sachs employees

Negotiation angles at Goldman Sachs

• ·Garden leave duration is THE lever for VP+ (Fortune, SimpleSeverance): 30-90 days standard, 3-12 months negotiable for senior staff. Garden leave = full pay + active benefits + active equity vesting, the biggest single dollar lever in the package
• ·Unvested PSU/RSU continued vesting: Goldman's Compensation Committee has discretion. Uncommon but achievable for MDs/Partners with 2-4 years of unvested equity stacked from prior bonus cycles
• ·Non-compete / non-solicit narrowing: Goldman aggressively marks ex-broker Form U5s with 'garden leave violations'. Negotiate scope reduction in writing before signing
• ·Bonus inclusion ask: the #1 unresolved grievance from Jan 2023. Push for prorated bonus, especially if laid off post-Q3 when accrual is substantial
• ·Voyage-specific 2025-2026 lever: if Goldman's ultimatum is 'move to Dallas/SLC or leave,' refusal-induced exits should be treated as INVOLUNTARY terminations with full severance, not voluntary resignation. Get this classification in writing
• ·Chen-Oster $215M settlement leverage (2023): Goldman settled the gender-discrimination class for $215M covering 2,800 women. Sanford Heisler Sharp continues to investigate layoffs for disparate impact. Protected-class layoffs carry elevated EEOC/legal-claim threat value

Common questions

What is Goldman Sachs's typical severance package in Washington?

Goldman Sachs typically offers Discretionary, not formulaic: Goldman has no SEC-filed severance plan (unlike CVS or Citi's CAP plan). NY norm: ~60 days continued 'active employment' at full base + benefits, then ~5 weeks base-pay severance + tenure-based extension. By level (employee-reported via Fortune, eFinancialCareers, SimpleSeverance): Analyst/Associate 4-8 weeks, VP 3-6 months, Director/MD 6-12+ months, Partner discretionary (typically 12+ months with deferred-comp negotiation). Bonuses EXCLUDED by default. as the base severance package. Washington adds 0.0% state income tax on top of the federal 22% supplemental withholding, for a combined withholding of 22.0% on the gross severance amount.

How is Goldman Sachs severance taxed in Washington?

Severance is treated as supplemental wages under IRS Publication 15-A. Federal withholding is a flat 22% (37% on amounts above $1 million in a calendar year). Washington adds no state income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Alaska all have no state income tax on severance). The combined withholding is approximately 22.0%, plus FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare). The withheld amount is reconciled at tax-filing time against the year's total income.

Does Washington require minimum severance from Goldman Sachs?

No. Washington does not require employers to pay severance; it remains a matter of company policy or individual contract. However, the federal WARN Act and Washington's mini-WARN provisions may require advance notice or pay-in-lieu for mass layoffs. Washington has no state income tax, so your severance will only have federal withholding.

Can I negotiate severance from Goldman Sachs if I'm based in Washington?

Yes. Goldman Sachs's standard formula is largely fixed, but peripheral terms (extended healthcare coverage, accelerated equity vesting, non-compete narrowing, outplacement upgrades, release-of-claims scope) are typically negotiable. Consider consulting an employment attorney licensed in Washington before signing.

What's the take-home from Goldman Sachs severance in Washington?

For a typical mid-tier Goldman Sachs employee earning around $200,000 annually, a 16-week severance comes to approximately $61,538 gross. After federal supplemental withholding (22%) and Washington state withholding (0.0%), the net take-home is approximately $48,000, before FICA. Tax is reconciled at filing time against the year's total income, so actual final tax may be higher or lower than the supplemental withholding.