FFGZX vs. TCLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FFGZX (Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class) and TCLEX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, FFGZX returned 4.28%/yr vs 5.90%/yr for TCLEX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FFGZX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for TCLEX.

Performance

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class (FFGZX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FFGZX having a 4.28% return and TCLEX slightly higher at 4.31%. Over the past 10 years, FFGZX has underperformed TCLEX with an annualized return of 4.28%, while TCLEX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.90% annualized return.

FFGZX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 4.28%
• 6M: 4.42%
• 1Y: 10.55%
• 3Y*: 7.68%
• 5Y*: 3.28%
• 10Y*: 4.28%

TCLEX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.89%
• YTD: 4.31%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 9.64%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 5.90%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FFGZX Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class	4.28%	9.13%	5.02%	8.32%	-11.07%	2.85%	8.59%	10.68%	-0.80%	6.73%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	4.31%	11.22%	7.31%	10.64%	-12.64%	6.62%	10.95%	15.14%	-4.14%	9.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FFGZX and TCLEX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2015	0.86

The correlation between FFGZX and TCLEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FFGZX vs. TCLEX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FFGZX

FFGZX Risk / Return Rank: 78
FFGZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FFGZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FFGZX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
FFGZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FFGZX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

TCLEX

TCLEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TCLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
TCLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
TCLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
TCLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
TCLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class (FFGZX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FFGZX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.49	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	3.68	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.49	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	2.94	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.23	13.07	+1.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FFGZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the TCLEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FFGZX and TCLEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FFGZX	TCLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	2.49	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.63	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97	0.85	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	0.61	+0.33

Drawdowns

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FFGZX drawdown since its inception was -14.94%, smaller than the maximum TCLEX drawdown of -35.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FFGZX and TCLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FFGZX	TCLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.94%	-35.33%	+20.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.33%	-4.28%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.76%	-8.25%	+3.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.94%	-17.31%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.94%	-17.31%	+2.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.26%	-3.99%	+1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.74%	0.96%	-0.22%

Volatility

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class (FFGZX) is 1.49%, while TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund (TCLEX) has a volatility of 1.68%. This indicates that FFGZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TCLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FFGZX	TCLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.49%	1.68%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.34%	4.10%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.01%	5.06%	-1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.08%	6.90%	-1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.43%	7.00%	-2.57%

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FFGZX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than TCLEX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

FFGZX vs. TCLEX - Dividend Comparison

FFGZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, less than TCLEX's 5.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFGZX Fidelity Freedom Index Income Fund Institutional Premium Class	3.21%	3.30%	3.18%	2.88%	3.11%	2.10%	2.22%	7.35%	3.00%	1.95%	1.56%	1.06%
TCLEX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2010 Fund	5.11%	5.33%	4.44%	2.95%	5.91%	8.53%	6.93%	3.95%	5.60%	1.72%	3.45%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FFGZX and TCLEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FFGZX and TCLEX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FFGZX or TCLEX?

TCLEX has higher volatility (1.68%) compared to FFGZX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FFGZX dropped -14.94% vs TCLEX's -35.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFGZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.49), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.