SSCJX vs. LTSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSCJX (State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund) and LTSTX (Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, SSCJX returned 9.72%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for LTSTX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SSCJX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for LTSTX.

Performance

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund (SSCJX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSCJX achieves a 9.21% return, which is significantly higher than LTSTX's 5.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SSCJX has outperformed LTSTX with an annualized return of 9.72%, while LTSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.05% annualized return.

SSCJX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 3.91%
• YTD: 9.21%
• 6M: 9.74%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 7.20%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

LTSTX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 5.33%
• 1Y: 13.74%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

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

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSCJX State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund	9.21%	17.89%	10.46%	16.73%	-18.06%	11.38%	18.07%	23.59%	-6.86%	17.41%
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	5.20%	12.16%	11.91%	13.30%	-15.23%	10.91%	13.70%	20.50%	-6.41%	16.75%

Correlation

The correlation between SSCJX and LTSTX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.96

The correlation between SSCJX and LTSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSCJX vs. LTSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSCJX

SSCJX Risk / Return Rank: 72
SSCJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SSCJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SSCJX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SSCJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SSCJX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

LTSTX

LTSTX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LTSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LTSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
LTSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
LTSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
LTSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund (SSCJX) and Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX). 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.

	SSCJX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.11	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	3.05	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.41	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.67	+0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.29	12.06	+1.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSCJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the LTSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSCJX and LTSTX, 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

	SSCJX	LTSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.11	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.62	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.48	+0.23

Drawdowns

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSCJX drawdown since its inception was -25.66%, smaller than the maximum LTSTX drawdown of -48.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSCJX and LTSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSCJX	LTSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.66%	-48.17%	+22.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-5.24%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.55%	-8.12%	-3.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.20%	-21.01%	-4.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.66%	-23.33%	-2.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.52%	-6.16%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.69%	1.16%	+0.53%

Volatility

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Volatility Comparison

State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund (SSCJX) has a higher volatility of 2.80% compared to Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund (LTSTX) at 2.02%. This indicates that SSCJX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LTSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSCJX	LTSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	2.02%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.14%	5.39%	+1.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	6.64%	+2.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.85%	9.18%	+2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.49%	9.83%	+2.66%

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSCJX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than LTSTX'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

SSCJX vs. LTSTX - Dividend Comparison

SSCJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.34%, less than LTSTX's 11.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LTSTX Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund	11.59%	12.19%	9.74%	4.26%	8.00%	7.66%	5.25%	6.91%	6.39%	4.75%	3.65%	8.91%
SSCJX State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund	6.34%	6.92%	5.44%	4.03%	5.32%	5.43%	4.54%	6.46%	4.99%	0.55%	1.74%	2.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSCJX and LTSTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SSCJX and LTSTX 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, SSCJX or LTSTX?

SSCJX has higher volatility (2.80%) compared to LTSTX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSCJX dropped -25.66% vs LTSTX's -48.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSCJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.11), 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.