PADLX vs. TLQIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PADLX (Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund) and TLQIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, PADLX returned 3.94%/yr vs 6.08%/yr for TLQIX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PADLX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLQIX.

Performance

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PADLX achieves a 4.51% return, which is significantly lower than TLQIX's 6.47% return.

PADLX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 4.51%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 13.15%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 3.94%
• 10Y*: —

TLQIX

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 6.47%
• 6M: 6.86%
• 1Y: 16.36%
• 3Y*: 12.62%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 8.15%

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

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.51%	10.83%	8.34%	11.01%	-12.54%	2.93%	7.84%
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund	6.47%	14.51%	9.46%	14.18%	-15.04%	10.12%	13.28%

Correlation

The correlation between PADLX and TLQIX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2020	0.91

The correlation between PADLX and TLQIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PADLX vs. TLQIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PADLX

PADLX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PADLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PADLX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PADLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PADLX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

TLQIX

TLQIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
TLQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
TLQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
TLQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
TLQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX). 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.

	PADLX	TLQIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.44	+0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.45	3.51	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.47	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	3.05	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.42	13.43	+2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PADLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the TLQIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PADLX and TLQIX, 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

	PADLX	TLQIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.44	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.63	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.79	-0.15

Drawdowns

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PADLX drawdown since its inception was -18.87%, smaller than the maximum TLQIX drawdown of -21.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PADLX and TLQIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PADLX	TLQIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.87%	-21.30%	+2.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.63%	-5.55%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.63%	-11.51%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.87%	-20.99%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.49%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-3.30%	-1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	1.26%	-0.43%

Volatility

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund (PADLX) is 1.54%, while TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) has a volatility of 2.34%. This indicates that PADLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLQIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PADLX	TLQIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.54%	2.34%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.63%	5.65%	-2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.56%	6.94%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.66%	9.74%	-3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.51%	10.09%	-2.58%

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PADLX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than TLQIX's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PADLX vs. TLQIX - Dividend Comparison

PADLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, less than TLQIX's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PADLX Putnam Retirement Advantage Maturity Fund	4.96%	5.03%	3.71%	2.91%	1.01%	1.45%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund	5.75%	6.12%	5.79%	2.58%	2.99%	3.94%	2.15%	2.44%	2.73%	0.13%	2.43%	0.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PADLX and TLQIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PADLX and TLQIX 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, PADLX or TLQIX?

TLQIX has higher volatility (2.34%) compared to PADLX (1.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PADLX dropped -18.87% vs TLQIX's -21.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PADLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 2.44), 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.