SSCNX vs. PLTZX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SSCNX (State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund) and PLTZX (Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, SSCNX returned 10.20%/yr vs 11.53%/yr for PLTZX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SSCNX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PLTZX.

Performance

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) and Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSCNX achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than PLTZX's 8.71% return. Over the past 10 years, SSCNX has underperformed PLTZX with an annualized return of 10.20%, while PLTZX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.53% annualized return.

SSCNX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.19%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 9.85%
• 1Y: 22.92%
• 3Y*: 16.33%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

PLTZX

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 2.92%
• YTD: 8.71%
• 6M: 9.08%
• 1Y: 21.70%
• 3Y*: 18.35%
• 5Y*: 8.96%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

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

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSCNX State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund	9.51%	19.00%	11.21%	17.68%	-18.55%	11.75%	18.72%	24.61%	-7.45%	18.32%
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	8.71%	17.76%	16.89%	20.36%	-18.81%	18.12%	16.60%	27.54%	-9.24%	22.68%

Correlation

The correlation between SSCNX and PLTZX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.95

The correlation between SSCNX and PLTZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSCNX vs. PLTZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSCNX

SSCNX Risk / Return Rank: 67
SSCNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SSCNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SSCNX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SSCNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SSCNX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

PLTZX

PLTZX Risk / Return Rank: 45
PLTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PLTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
PLTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
PLTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
PLTZX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) and Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX). 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.

	SSCNX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	1.85	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	2.62	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.34	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	2.51	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	11.31	+1.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSCNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is higher than the PLTZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSCNX and PLTZX, 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

	SSCNX	PLTZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	1.85	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.58	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.72	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.70	-0.01

Drawdowns

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSCNX drawdown since its inception was -27.49%, smaller than the maximum PLTZX drawdown of -34.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSCNX and PLTZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSCNX	PLTZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.49%	-34.01%	+6.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.96%	-8.70%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.72%	-15.73%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.14%	-26.79%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.49%	-34.01%	+6.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.87%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.76%	-4.63%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.93%	-0.08%

Volatility

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (SSCNX) is 3.12%, while Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund (PLTZX) has a volatility of 3.44%. This indicates that SSCNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PLTZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSCNX	PLTZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	3.44%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.76%	9.47%	-1.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.64%	11.83%	-2.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.73%	15.47%	-2.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.46%	15.99%	-2.53%

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSCNX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than PLTZX'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

SSCNX vs. PLTZX - Dividend Comparison

SSCNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, less than PLTZX's 7.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTZX Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund	7.67%	8.33%	7.85%	4.12%	8.44%	5.29%	3.60%	5.86%	5.75%	2.73%	3.48%	3.29%
SSCNX State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund	6.58%	7.21%	4.97%	3.78%	5.39%	5.58%	4.63%	6.31%	5.11%	0.38%	1.77%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSCNX and PLTZX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SSCNX and PLTZX 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, SSCNX or PLTZX?

PLTZX has higher volatility (3.44%) compared to SSCNX (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSCNX dropped -27.49% vs PLTZX's -34.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSCNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.85), 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.