RFDTX vs. PLWIX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

RFDTX (American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6) and PLWIX (Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, RFDTX returned 8.01%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for PLWIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFDTX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLWIX.

Performance

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6 (RFDTX) 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, RFDTX achieves a 5.20% return, which is significantly higher than PLWIX's 4.13% return. Over the past 10 years, RFDTX has outperformed PLWIX with an annualized return of 8.01%, while PLWIX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.15% annualized return.

RFDTX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.53%
• 6M: 3.53%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 1Y: 11.33%
• 3Y*: 11.23%
• 5Y*: 6.09%
• 10Y*: 8.01%

PLWIX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 2.77%
• YTD: 4.13%
• 1Y: 9.43%
• 3Y*: 10.62%
• 5Y*: 5.12%
• 10Y*: 7.15%

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

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFDTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6	5.20%	14.54%	9.35%	11.95%	-12.73%	11.49%	13.68%	17.83%	-3.46%	15.33%
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	4.13%	11.32%	12.21%	12.23%	-14.36%	9.05%	12.70%	18.40%	-5.72%	14.96%

Correlation

The correlation between RFDTX and PLWIX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.97

The correlation between RFDTX and PLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RFDTX vs. PLWIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFDTX

RFDTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
RFDTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
RFDTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
RFDTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
RFDTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
RFDTX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

PLWIX

PLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 46
PLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
PLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
PLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6 (RFDTX) 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.

	RFDTX	PLWIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.56	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.23	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.29	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	2.07	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.61	8.97	+0.63

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFDTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the PLWIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFDTX 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

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFDTX drawdown since its inception was -19.16%, smaller than the maximum PLWIX drawdown of -49.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDTX and PLWIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFDTX	PLWIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.16%	-49.07%	+29.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.32%	-4.75%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.73%	-6.97%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.80%	-19.73%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.16%	-20.29%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.55%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-5.70%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	1.09%	+0.11%

Volatility

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6 (RFDTX) is 1.39%, while Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund (PLWIX) has a volatility of 1.80%. This indicates that RFDTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFDTX	PLWIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.80%	-0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.16%	5.33%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.25%	6.31%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.23%	8.30%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.87%	8.51%	+0.36%

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFDTX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than PLWIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFDTX vs. PLWIX - Dividend Comparison

RFDTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.29%, less than PLWIX's 9.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLWIX Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund	9.68%	10.08%	11.91%	5.12%	9.82%	9.40%	5.90%	8.69%	7.35%	5.74%	3.73%	8.75%
RFDTX American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Income R6	7.29%	7.67%	5.50%	3.37%	4.30%	6.54%	3.87%	4.00%	4.40%	2.67%	3.44%	6.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFDTX and PLWIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, RFDTX 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, RFDTX or PLWIX?

PLWIX has higher volatility (1.80%) compared to RFDTX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDTX dropped -19.16% vs PLWIX's -49.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.56), 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.