TCLFX vs. DRIJX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCLFX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund) and DRIJX (Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TCLFX returned 7.47%/yr vs 12.60%/yr for DRIJX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCLFX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for DRIJX.

Performance

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) and Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLFX achieves a 5.46% return, which is significantly lower than DRIJX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLFX has underperformed DRIJX with an annualized return of 7.47%, while DRIJX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.60% annualized return.

TCLFX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 5.46%
• 6M: 5.83%
• 1Y: 14.95%
• 3Y*: 11.38%
• 5Y*: 5.22%
• 10Y*: 7.47%

DRIJX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.70%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.43%
• 1Y: 27.40%
• 3Y*: 20.18%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: 12.60%

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

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLFX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund	5.46%	12.77%	8.81%	12.83%	-14.54%	9.44%	13.22%	19.21%	-6.41%	14.74%
DRIJX Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	11.69%	19.64%	17.05%	21.37%	-15.25%	21.63%	14.09%	25.59%	-9.14%	21.76%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLFX and DRIJX 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	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.96

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

Return for Risk

TCLFX vs. DRIJX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLFX

TCLFX Risk / Return Rank: 62
TCLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TCLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
TCLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TCLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
TCLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

DRIJX

DRIJX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DRIJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DRIJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
DRIJX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
DRIJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DRIJX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) and Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX). 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.

	TCLFX	DRIJX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.74	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.87	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.50	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.47	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	15.69	-3.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the DRIJX Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLFX and DRIJX, 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

	TCLFX	DRIJX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.74	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.81	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.81	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.81	-0.32

Drawdowns

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLFX drawdown since its inception was -48.12%, which is greater than DRIJX's maximum drawdown of -33.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLFX and DRIJX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLFX	DRIJX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.12%	-33.55%	-14.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.50%	-8.12%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.03%	-15.25%	+7.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.28%	-23.49%	+3.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.98%	-33.55%	+10.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-4.19%	-1.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.24%	1.78%	-0.54%

Volatility

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) is 2.08%, while Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that TCLFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRIJX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLFX	DRIJX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.08%	2.92%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	8.23%	-2.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.50%	10.30%	-3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.55%	14.56%	-6.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.62%	15.63%	-6.01%

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLFX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than DRIJX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLFX vs. DRIJX - Dividend Comparison

TCLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than DRIJX's 2.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DRIJX Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	2.27%	2.49%	2.53%	3.40%	3.98%	2.87%	4.15%	2.18%	2.29%	1.25%	1.40%	0.00%
TCLFX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund	4.56%	4.81%	3.42%	2.14%	5.63%	7.38%	4.75%	3.53%	6.46%	2.33%	5.05%	4.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLFX and DRIJX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TCLFX and DRIJX 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, TCLFX or DRIJX?

DRIJX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to TCLFX (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLFX dropped -48.12% vs DRIJX's -33.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRIJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.35), 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.