TLFIX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLFIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TLFIX returned 6.82%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLFIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLFIX achieves a 5.80% return, which is significantly lower than PPLIX's 9.45% return. Over the past 10 years, TLFIX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 6.82%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.60% annualized return.

TLFIX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 5.80%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 14.89%
• 3Y*: 11.08%
• 5Y*: 5.30%
• 10Y*: 6.82%

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund	5.80%	12.94%	8.04%	12.24%	-13.81%	7.83%	12.58%	16.71%	-3.31%	10.10%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TLFIX and PPLIX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2009	0.94

The correlation between TLFIX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLFIX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLFIX

TLFIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
TLFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
TLFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TLFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
TLFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TLFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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.

	TLFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	1.99	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	2.81	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.37	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	2.68	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.13	12.05	+2.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is higher than the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLFIX and PPLIX, 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

	TLFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	1.99	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.62	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.75	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.46	+0.36

Drawdowns

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLFIX drawdown since its inception was -19.10%, smaller than the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLFIX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.10%	-55.61%	+36.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.76%	-8.57%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.64%	-15.59%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.10%	-26.85%	+7.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.10%	-32.67%	+13.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-8.30%	+5.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	1.90%	-0.84%

Volatility

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund (TLFIX) is 1.99%, while Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) has a volatility of 3.25%. This indicates that TLFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	3.25%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.69%	9.22%	-4.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.78%	11.56%	-5.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.90%	15.47%	-6.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.48%	15.59%	-7.11%

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLFIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% 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

TLFIX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

TLFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.56%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%
TLFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2015 Fund	7.56%	8.00%	7.99%	4.01%	3.39%	5.16%	2.71%	2.44%	3.23%	0.17%	2.42%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLFIX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, TLFIX and PPLIX 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, TLFIX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to TLFIX (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLFIX dropped -19.10% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.99), 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.