TCLRX vs. FFTWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCLRX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund) and FFTWX (Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TCLRX returned 9.16%/yr vs 8.29%/yr for FFTWX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCLRX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FFTWX.

Performance

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) and Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLRX achieves a 7.00% return, which is significantly lower than FFTWX's 8.11% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLRX has outperformed FFTWX with an annualized return of 9.16%, while FFTWX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.29% annualized return.

TCLRX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 3.24%
• YTD: 7.00%
• 6M: 7.42%
• 1Y: 18.54%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 6.72%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

FFTWX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 19.54%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 5.88%
• 10Y*: 8.29%

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

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLRX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund	7.00%	15.07%	11.00%	16.13%	-16.19%	12.38%	15.07%	22.77%	-8.30%	18.45%
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	8.11%	16.46%	8.20%	14.10%	-16.66%	10.09%	14.70%	19.45%	-5.93%	15.57%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLRX and FFTWX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
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	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2004	0.97

The correlation between TCLRX and FFTWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLRX vs. FFTWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLRX

TCLRX Risk / Return Rank: 56
TCLRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
TCLRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
TCLRX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
TCLRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
TCLRX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

FFTWX

FFTWX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FFTWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FFTWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FFTWX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FFTWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FFTWX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) and Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX). 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.

	TCLRX	FFTWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.46	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.49	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.48	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	3.08	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.82	13.46	-1.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the FFTWX Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLRX and FFTWX, 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

	TCLRX	FFTWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.46	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.59	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.82	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.53	-0.08

Drawdowns

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLRX drawdown since its inception was -53.91%, which is greater than FFTWX's maximum drawdown of -47.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLRX and FFTWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLRX	FFTWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.91%	-47.51%	-6.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.98%	-6.40%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.24%	-8.87%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.09%	-23.66%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.96%	-23.66%	-4.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.41%	-5.57%	-1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.46%	+0.13%

Volatility

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) is 2.61%, while Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that TCLRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFTWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLRX	FFTWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	2.96%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.80%	6.68%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.52%	8.02%	+0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	9.94%	+1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	10.09%	+2.52%

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLRX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FFTWX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLRX vs. FFTWX - Dividend Comparison

TCLRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, less than FFTWX's 6.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	6.77%	6.44%	3.74%	2.08%	9.66%	10.38%	5.75%	6.09%	6.39%	3.04%	3.91%	5.60%
TCLRX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund	4.53%	4.85%	2.74%	1.61%	5.83%	7.91%	5.16%	3.80%	6.54%	2.60%	5.11%	5.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCLRX and FFTWX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TCLRX and FFTWX 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, TCLRX or FFTWX?

FFTWX has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to TCLRX (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLRX dropped -53.91% vs FFTWX's -47.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFTWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.21), 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.