MLLIX vs. LTFIX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

MLLIX (MFS Lifetime Income Fund) and LTFIX (Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, MLLIX returned 4.91%/yr vs 11.34%/yr for LTFIX. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MLLIX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTFIX.

Performance

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Lifetime Income Fund (MLLIX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MLLIX achieves a 3.73% return, which is significantly lower than LTFIX's 10.13% return. Over the past 10 years, MLLIX has underperformed LTFIX with an annualized return of 4.91%, while LTFIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.34% annualized return.

MLLIX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.08%
• 6M: 2.51%
• YTD: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.22%
• 3Y*: 7.63%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 4.91%
• ALL TIME*: 5.08%

LTFIX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 7.12%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 1Y: 17.91%
• 3Y*: 17.47%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 11.34%
• ALL TIME*: 8.41%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MLLIX MFS Lifetime Income Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MLLIX MFS Lifetime Income Fund	3.73%	9.32%	5.62%	9.12%	-11.99%	6.63%	10.06%	13.91%	-2.37%	8.24%
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	10.13%	17.80%	17.28%	20.33%	-18.84%	17.73%	16.47%	27.27%	-9.03%	22.52%

Correlation

The correlation between MLLIX and LTFIX is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2008	0.83

The correlation between MLLIX and LTFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MLLIX vs. LTFIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MLLIX

MLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 58
MLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
MLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
MLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
MLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
MLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

LTFIX

LTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 56
LTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
LTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
LTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
LTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
LTFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Lifetime Income Fund (MLLIX) and Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MLLIX	LTFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.53	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.17	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.28	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	2.26	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	9.69	-0.86

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MLLIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the LTFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MLLIX and LTFIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MLLIX drawdown since its inception was -17.32%, smaller than the maximum LTFIX drawdown of -52.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MLLIX and LTFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MLLIX	LTFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.32%	-52.73%	+35.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.86%	-8.71%	+4.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.93%	-15.70%	+10.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.08%	-26.80%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.08%	-33.50%	+17.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	0.00%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-7.58%	+5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	2.03%	-1.15%

Volatility

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Lifetime Income Fund (MLLIX) is 1.11%, while Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund (LTFIX) has a volatility of 3.56%. This indicates that MLLIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LTFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MLLIX	LTFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	3.56%	-2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.67%	10.65%	-6.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.52%	12.85%	-8.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.95%	15.60%	-9.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.71%	15.80%	-10.09%

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MLLIX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than LTFIX's 0.01% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MLLIX vs. LTFIX - Dividend Comparison

MLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.41%, less than LTFIX's 7.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTFIX Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund	7.92%	8.73%	8.47%	4.17%	8.60%	5.83%	3.91%	6.03%	6.60%	3.51%	3.99%	4.51%
MLLIX MFS Lifetime Income Fund	7.41%	6.01%	6.26%	3.70%	3.92%	6.12%	3.18%	3.80%	4.20%	3.56%	4.21%	2.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MLLIX and LTFIX in my portfolio?

MLLIX and LTFIX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MLLIX or LTFIX?

LTFIX has higher volatility (3.56%) compared to MLLIX (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MLLIX dropped -17.32% vs LTFIX's -52.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.53), 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.