TISPX vs. TLLIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TISPX (TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund) and TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - TISPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by TIAA Investments, while TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TISPX returned 15.31%/yr vs 12.09%/yr for TLLIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TISPX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for TLLIX.

Performance

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TISPX having a 10.87% return and TLLIX slightly higher at 11.23%. Over the past 10 years, TISPX has outperformed TLLIX with an annualized return of 15.31%, while TLLIX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.09% annualized return.

TISPX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.18%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

TLLIX

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 3.69%
• YTD: 11.23%
• 6M: 11.83%
• 1Y: 26.44%
• 3Y*: 19.34%
• 5Y*: 10.19%
• 10Y*: 12.09%

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

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	10.87%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	31.44%	-4.52%	19.58%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	11.23%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%

Correlation

The correlation between TISPX and TLLIX 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	0.96
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 2, 2009	0.97

The correlation between TISPX and TLLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TISPX vs. TLLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 66
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) 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.

	TISPX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.38	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	3.31	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.08	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	13.71	+1.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TISPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the TLLIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TISPX 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

	TISPX	TLLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.38	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.71	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.78	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.74	-0.12

Drawdowns

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TISPX drawdown since its inception was -55.16%, which is greater than TLLIX's maximum drawdown of -31.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TISPX and TLLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TISPX	TLLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.16%	-31.41%	-23.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.79%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.74%	-14.90%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.48%	-25.38%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.75%	-31.41%	-2.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.70%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.72%	-4.16%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.97%	-0.07%

Volatility

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) is 2.92%, while TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) has a volatility of 3.46%. This indicates that TISPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TISPX	TLLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	3.46%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	9.06%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	11.38%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	14.47%	+2.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	15.51%	+2.56%

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TISPX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than TLLIX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TISPX vs. TLLIX - Dividend Comparison

TISPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than TLLIX's 2.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.12%	2.35%	1.52%	1.48%	1.91%	1.77%	1.53%	2.16%	2.94%	0.36%	2.39%	0.65%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.81%	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 TISPX and TLLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TISPX 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, TISPX or TLLIX?

TLLIX has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to TISPX (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TISPX dropped -55.16% vs TLLIX's -31.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.37), 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.