Maximize your equity. Minimize your tax hit. Plan for what’s next with confidence.
Between GSVs, GSUs and many other generous benefits, Google offers a strong foundation for building long-term wealth. But it takes personalized planning to avoid tax inefficiencies and overconcentration risk. Whether you’re a Noogler or a long-term Googler, we can help you build a plan that reflects your goals and prepares you for life beyond work.
How Mercer Advisors Helps Google Employees
At Mercer Advisors, we specialize in helping Googlers turn their equity-rich compensation into long-term financial independence. We understand the unique challenges that come with life at the Googleplex (whether you’re in person or remote), from navigating the tax complexities of GSUs and refreshers, to managing long-term concentration risk and optimizing underutilized benefits like an after-tax 401(k).
Many Googlers are so focused on work that they find it difficult to build a cohesive plan across their equity, cash comp, and benefits stack. That’s where we come in. Our team acts as your personal CFO, aligning your financial strategy with your Google-specific comp structure, so you can focus on building the future while we help you secure yours.
Understanding Google GSUs & Tax Timing
Google’s equity compensation can be a powerful wealth builder. But without a tax-aware strategy, it can also create avoidable surprises. We help you navigate the complexity of GSUs to minimize taxes and increase flexibility.
We can help you navigate:
- GSU vesting schedules, including refresh grants and cliffs
- Tax treatment at vesting vs. sale (and how to plan around both)
- How withholdings may fall short of your true tax liability
- Strategies to qualify for long-term capital gains and reduce AMT exposure
Specialized Services for Googlers
- Tax-smart equity planning for GSUs, refreshers, and avoiding the AMT
- Alphabet stock diversification to help reduce concentration risk while preserving upside
- After-Tax 401(k) planning to help maximize mega backdoor Roth opportunities
- Bonus & vesting tax modeling to optimize your GSV and GSU tax timing
- Integrated cash flow planning that aligns your base salary, GSV, GSUs and deferred comp
- GSU withholding reviews to help ensure accurate tax coverage on vesting events
Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning documentation preparation and other legal advice is provided through select third parties unaffiliated to Mercer Advisors, depending on the complexity of the estate, additional fees may apply. Tax preparation and tax filing services typically requires a separate fee from our investment management and planning services.
From Noogler to Exec: Financial Planning That Grows With You
Your financial strategy at Google should evolve with your level and compensation. Here’s what to focus on at each level:
L4–L5
Build a strong foundation. Max out your 401(k), understand your GSU vesting schedule, and start diversifying early. If you have student loans, optimize repayment.
L6
Things get more complex. Use the mega backdoor Roth, manage equity tax impact, and begin estate planning. Consider cash flow modeling and private investment opportunities.
L7+
You’re managing real wealth – potentially multi-generational wealth. Coordinate equity, tax, and charitable strategies. Reduce Alphabet stock exposure, explore our Regis offering, and plan for early retirement or startup transitions.Additional Solutions for Your Full Financial Picture
Your compensation at Google goes beyond salary—and your financial strategy should too. From tax optimization to long-term planning, we provide services designed to help high-performing professionals like you protect, grow, and purposefully manage wealth.
What Happens When You Leave Google?
Becoming an Xoogler? We’ve got your back. Whether you’re retiring early, launching a startup, or taking time off, understanding your exit plan is critical.
We’ll help you make smart decisions about what to roll over, what to convert, and how to structure your next chapter.
Key decisions we guide you through:
- What happens to GSUs and equity refreshers post-exit
- How to diversify out of Alphabet stock if you’ve accumulated a large position
- Health savings accounts and other benefits to retain or roll over
- Designing a long-term plan that extends beyond your tenure at Google
Managing Concentrated Positions in Alphabet Stock
Holding too much Alphabet stock can expose your portfolio to outsized risk. We offer tailored strategies that respect your equity’s potential while protecting your financial foundation.
Our guidance includes:
- Strategic asset allocation to balance risk and opportunity
- When to sell – and how to do so in a tax-smart manner
- Leveraging tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains
- Hedging strategies, charitable giving, and gifting to family
FAQs About Google Employee Financial Planning
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Google Stock Units (GSUs) are taxed as ordinary income when they vest, based on the fair market value of Alphabet stock on the vesting date. Google typically withholds taxes at a flat supplemental rate (22% federal for most employees), which may be insufficient for higher earners, leading to a potential tax shortfall at year-end.
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The decision to sell or hold Alphabet shares depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Holding can offer long-term upside, but many Googlers accumulate a concentrated position, which increases portfolio risk. Selling strategically (especially after vesting) can help diversify and reduce exposure to a single stock, while managing capital gains taxes.
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Google’s 401(k) plan allows after-tax contributions beyond the standard pre-tax/Roth limits (up to the IRS total limit of $69,000 in 2024, including employer match). These after-tax dollars can be converted to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), allowing for tax-free growth on a much larger contribution base than a standard Roth IRA.
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Concentration risk is the biggest concern. If Alphabet stock underperforms, your net worth and income (if still employed as a Googler) could both take a hit. It also limits diversification, which can increase portfolio volatility and reduce long-term risk-adjusted returns.
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Make sure the conversion is done promptly to avoid taxable growth in the after-tax subaccount. Also, confirm whether your plan supports in-plan Roth conversions or direct rollovers to a Roth IRA, and be aware that any earnings on after-tax contributions before conversion will be taxable.
Google Employee Financial Checklist: What to Cover Now
Key moves to make:
