TCLRX vs. TCLFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCLRX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund) and TCLFX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TCLRX returned 9.16%/yr vs 7.47%/yr for TCLFX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TCLRX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for TCLFX.

Performance

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX). 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 higher than TCLFX's 5.46% return. Over the past 10 years, TCLRX has outperformed TCLFX with an annualized return of 9.16%, while TCLFX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.47% 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%

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%

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

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - 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%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLRX and TCLFX is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2004	0.99

The correlation between TCLRX and TCLFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLRX vs. TCLFX — 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

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

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. TCLFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX). 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	TCLFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.35	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.41	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.45	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.77	-0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.82	12.22	-0.40
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. TCLFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the TCLFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLRX and TCLFX, 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	TCLFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.35	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.61	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.78	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.49	-0.03

Drawdowns

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLRX drawdown since its inception was -53.91%, which is greater than TCLFX's maximum drawdown of -48.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLRX and TCLFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLRX	TCLFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.91%	-48.12%	-5.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.98%	-5.50%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.24%	-8.03%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.09%	-20.28%	-2.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.96%	-22.98%	-4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.41%	-5.98%	-1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.24%	+0.35%

Volatility

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2035 Fund (TCLRX) has a higher volatility of 2.61% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2025 Fund (TCLFX) at 2.08%. This indicates that TCLRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TCLFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLRX	TCLFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	2.08%	+0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.80%	5.24%	+1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.52%	6.50%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	8.55%	+2.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	9.62%	+2.99%

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLRX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than TCLFX's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLRX vs. TCLFX - Dividend Comparison

TCLRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, which matches TCLFX's 4.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
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 TCLFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, TCLRX and TCLFX 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 TCLFX?

TCLRX has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to TCLFX (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLRX dropped -53.91% vs TCLFX's -48.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCLFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 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.