TCLTX vs. FTLSX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TCLTX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund) and FTLSX (Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, TCLTX returned 4.85%/yr vs 3.52%/yr for FTLSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCLTX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FTLSX.

Performance

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCLTX achieves a 5.00% return, which is significantly lower than FTLSX's 5.30% return.

TCLTX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 5.07%
• 1Y: 13.58%
• 3Y*: 10.09%
• 5Y*: 4.85%
• 10Y*: 6.83%

FTLSX

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 5.30%
• 6M: 5.45%
• 1Y: 11.51%
• 3Y*: 8.12%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: —

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

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCLTX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund	5.00%	12.09%	8.17%	11.68%	-13.76%	8.19%	12.11%	17.49%	-5.43%	4.58%
FTLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund	5.30%	10.31%	4.72%	8.60%	-11.33%	3.30%	9.04%	10.97%	-1.40%	3.61%

Correlation

The correlation between TCLTX and FTLSX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2017	0.81

The correlation between TCLTX and FTLSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCLTX vs. FTLSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCLTX

TCLTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TCLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
TCLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TCLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TCLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
TCLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

FTLSX

FTLSX Risk / Return Rank: 78
FTLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
FTLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FTLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FTLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTLSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TCLTX	FTLSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.36	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	3.45	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.49	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	3.18	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.81	13.71	-1.90

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCLTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the FTLSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCLTX and FTLSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCLTX drawdown since its inception was -44.15%, which is greater than FTLSX's maximum drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCLTX and FTLSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCLTX	FTLSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.15%	-15.74%	-28.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.01%	-3.65%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.99%	-4.83%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.99%	-15.74%	-3.25%
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	-5.19%	-2.80%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	0.84%	+0.31%

Volatility

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2020 Fund (TCLTX) has a higher volatility of 2.47% compared to Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX) at 2.31%. This indicates that TCLTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCLTX	FTLSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	2.31%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.18%	4.25%	+0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.23%	4.92%	+1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.69%	5.50%	+2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.36%	4.81%	+3.55%

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCLTX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than FTLSX's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCLTX vs. FTLSX - Dividend Comparison

TCLTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, more than FTLSX's 3.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund	3.51%	3.68%	3.37%	3.19%	5.28%	4.91%	3.06%	4.44%	4.26%	1.97%	0.00%	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 TCLTX and FTLSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, TCLTX and FTLSX 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, TCLTX or FTLSX?

TCLTX has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to FTLSX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCLTX dropped -44.15% vs FTLSX's -15.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.18), 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.