PRRYX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PRRYX (Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, PRRYX returned 7.20%/yr vs 7.07%/yr for PLWIX. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. PRRYX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund (PRRYX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRRYX achieves a 3.56% return, which is significantly lower than PLWIX's 3.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRRYX having a 7.20% annualized return and PLWIX not far behind at 7.07%.

PRRYX

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -0.35%
• 6M: 3.90%
• YTD: 3.56%
• 1Y: 8.87%
• 3Y*: 10.39%
• 5Y*: 6.14%
• 10Y*: 7.20%
• ALL TIME*: 7.83%

PLWIX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -0.16%
• 6M: 2.52%
• YTD: 3.96%
• 1Y: 9.09%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 4.88%
• 10Y*: 7.07%
• ALL TIME*: 5.98%

*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)
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
PRRYX Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRRYX Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund	3.56%	9.79%	9.46%	18.15%	-10.13%	9.94%	7.97%	15.70%	-7.49%	16.09%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	3.96%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between PRRYX and PLWIX is 0.95, 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.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.95

The correlation between PRRYX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRRYX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRRYX

PRRYX Risk / Return Rank: 27
PRRYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PRRYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
PRRYX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
PRRYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
PRRYX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund (PRRYX) and Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX). 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.

	PRRYX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.35	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.95	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.25	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	1.81	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	7.75	-2.69

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRRYX Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRRYX and PLWIX, 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

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRRYX drawdown since its inception was -20.30%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRRYX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRRYX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.30%	-49.07%	+28.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.16%	-4.75%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.36%	-6.97%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.44%	-19.73%	+5.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.30%	-20.29%	-0.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-0.71%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-5.69%	+2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.11%	+0.48%

Volatility

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund (PRRYX) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) at 1.73%. This indicates that PRRYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRRYX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	1.73%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.63%	5.32%	+1.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.21%	6.39%	+1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.32%	8.29%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.39%	8.52%	+0.87%

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRRYX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX's 0.01% 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

PRRYX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

PRRYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, less than PLWIX's 9.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.70%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%
PRRYX Putnam RetirementReady 2035 Fund	1.75%	1.81%	1.99%	2.08%	10.70%	9.79%	1.06%	3.62%	9.16%	3.21%	0.74%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRRYX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PRRYX and PLWIX 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, PRRYX or PLWIX?

PRRYX has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to PLWIX (1.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRRYX dropped -20.30% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLWIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.98), 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.