SSBWX vs. VTHRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SSBWX (State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund) and VTHRX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, SSBWX returned 9.24%/yr vs 9.16%/yr for VTHRX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SSBWX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTHRX.

Performance

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund (SSBWX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX). 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 SSBWX having a 7.46% return and VTHRX slightly higher at 7.61%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SSBWX having a 9.24% annualized return and VTHRX not far behind at 9.16%.

SSBWX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 7.01%
• 1Y: 17.70%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 9.24%

VTHRX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 6M: 7.25%
• 1Y: 18.35%
• 3Y*: 14.15%
• 5Y*: 6.90%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

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

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSBWX State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund	7.46%	15.92%	9.76%	15.66%	-17.17%	10.75%	17.27%	22.52%	-6.23%	16.05%
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	7.61%	16.25%	10.43%	16.24%	-16.28%	11.37%	14.11%	21.08%	-5.85%	15.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SSBWX and VTHRX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.98

The correlation between SSBWX and VTHRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSBWX vs. VTHRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSBWX

SSBWX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SSBWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SSBWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SSBWX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SSBWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SSBWX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VTHRX

VTHRX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTHRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTHRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VTHRX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTHRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTHRX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund (SSBWX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX). 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.

	SSBWX	VTHRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.23	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.15	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.42	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.91	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	12.52	+0.34

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSBWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the VTHRX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSBWX and VTHRX, 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

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSBWX drawdown since its inception was -23.73%, smaller than the maximum VTHRX drawdown of -49.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSBWX and VTHRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSBWX	VTHRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.73%	-49.57%	+25.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.20%	-6.56%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.73%	-9.64%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.73%	-22.75%	-0.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.73%	-24.86%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.42%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-6.17%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.42%	1.52%	-0.10%

Volatility

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund (SSBWX) is 3.12%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (VTHRX) has a volatility of 3.37%. This indicates that SSBWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTHRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSBWX	VTHRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	3.37%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.54%	7.15%	-0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.90%	8.58%	-0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.71%	10.44%	+0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	11.28%	+0.07%

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSBWX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTHRX's 0.08% 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

SSBWX vs. VTHRX - Dividend Comparison

SSBWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.43%, more than VTHRX's 3.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSBWX State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund	6.43%	6.91%	6.16%	4.11%	5.78%	6.18%	4.92%	6.65%	5.24%	0.46%	1.75%	2.11%
VTHRX Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund	3.75%	4.03%	3.63%	2.59%	2.53%	17.56%	2.56%	2.38%	2.71%	0.06%	2.38%	3.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSBWX and VTHRX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SSBWX and VTHRX 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, SSBWX or VTHRX?

VTHRX has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to SSBWX (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSBWX dropped -23.73% vs VTHRX's -49.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSBWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.23), 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.