TFTIX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TFTIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TFTIX returned 11.26%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for TLLIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TFTIX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TFTIX achieves a 9.63% return, which is significantly lower than TLLIX's 12.02% return. Over the past 10 years, TFTIX has underperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 11.26%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.17% annualized return.

TFTIX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 4.44%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 10.31%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

TLLIX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 12.74%
• 1Y: 27.72%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 10.53%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TFTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund	9.63%	18.80%	14.28%	20.02%	-17.71%	16.37%	17.42%	26.21%	-9.90%	20.54%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	12.02%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TFTIX and TLLIX 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 2, 2009	0.99

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

Return for Risk

TFTIX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFTIX

TFTIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
TFTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
TFTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TFTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TFTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
TFTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). 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.

	TFTIX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.49	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.45	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.45	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	3.22	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.75	14.33	-2.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFTIX and TLLIX, 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

	TFTIX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	2.49	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.73	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.79	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.74	-0.31

Drawdowns

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFTIX drawdown since its inception was -51.99%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFTIX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFTIX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.99%	-31.41%	-20.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-8.79%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.58%	-14.90%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.68%	-25.38%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.44%	-31.41%	-1.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-4.16%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	1.97%	+0.15%

Volatility

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund (TFTIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) have volatilities of 3.34% and 3.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TFTIX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	3.38%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	9.03%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	11.36%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.69%	14.47%	+0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	15.52%	+0.46%

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFTIX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TFTIX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TFTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.70%, more than TLLIX's 2.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TFTIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2050 Fund	6.70%	7.34%	3.79%	2.01%	8.81%	11.71%	6.91%	5.63%	5.37%	0.84%	3.85%	3.53%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.79%	3.12%	2.26%	2.17%	2.35%	2.29%	1.71%	2.25%	2.67%	0.15%	2.57%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFTIX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, TFTIX and TLLIX 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, TFTIX or TLLIX?

TLLIX has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to TFTIX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFTIX dropped -51.99% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.15), 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.