SWYDX vs. TCLTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYDX (Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund) and TCLTX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, SWYDX returned 5.79%/yr vs 4.79%/yr for TCLTX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SWYDX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for TCLTX.

Performance

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWYDX achieves a 6.06% return, which is significantly higher than TCLTX's 5.00% return.

SWYDX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.65%
• YTD: 6.06%
• 6M: 6.19%
• 1Y: 15.10%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 5.79%
• 10Y*: —

TCLTX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 5.36%
• 1Y: 13.91%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

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

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYDX Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund	6.06%	12.60%	8.62%	14.47%	-14.78%	10.24%	12.37%	18.89%	-6.38%	14.53%
TCLTX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund	5.00%	12.09%	8.17%	11.68%	-13.76%	8.19%	12.11%	17.49%	-5.43%	12.89%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYDX and TCLTX 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	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.96

The correlation between SWYDX and TCLTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYDX vs. TCLTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYDX

SWYDX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWYDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SWYDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SWYDX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
SWYDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SWYDX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

TCLTX

TCLTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TCLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TCLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TCLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TCLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TCLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX). 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.

	SWYDX	TCLTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.39	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.52	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.47	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	2.82	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.04	12.45	+1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the TCLTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYDX and TCLTX, 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

	SWYDX	TCLTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.39	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.63	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.52	+0.24

Drawdowns

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYDX drawdown since its inception was -20.49%, smaller than the maximum TCLTX drawdown of -44.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYDX and TCLTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYDX	TCLTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.49%	-44.15%	+23.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.94%	-5.01%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.56%	-6.99%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.43%	-18.99%	-1.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.43%	-5.20%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	1.13%	-0.04%

Volatility

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) has a higher volatility of 2.10% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) at 1.92%. This indicates that SWYDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TCLTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWYDX	TCLTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	1.92%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.94%	4.75%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.15%	5.90%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.20%	7.64%	+1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.82%	8.35%	+1.47%

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYDX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than TCLTX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWYDX vs. TCLTX - Dividend Comparison

SWYDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, more than TCLTX's 4.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWYDX Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund	5.06%	5.37%	3.41%	2.58%	2.32%	1.92%	1.79%	1.91%	0.00%	1.33%	0.79%	0.00%
TCLTX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund	4.27%	4.49%	3.33%	2.38%	5.36%	7.49%	4.91%	3.36%	6.53%	2.44%	5.09%	4.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYDX and TCLTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, SWYDX and TCLTX 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, SWYDX or TCLTX?

SWYDX has higher volatility (2.10%) compared to TCLTX (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYDX dropped -20.49% vs TCLTX's -44.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.39), 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.