TLLIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - TLLIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX returned 12.19%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLLIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

TLLIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLLIX achieves a 11.50% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.19%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

TLLIX

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 11.50%
• 6M: 11.32%
• 1Y: 27.13%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 12.19%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

TLLIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	11.50%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	17.20%	26.04%	-7.05%	19.20%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLIX and SPY 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 1, 2009	0.97

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

Return for Risk

TLLIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLLIX

TLLIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TLLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TLLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
TLLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TLLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TLLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

TLLIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	TLLIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.16	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.06	2.91	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.39	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.01	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.31	13.54	-0.22

TLLIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLIX and SPY, 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

TLLIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLIX drawdown since its inception was -31.41%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.41%	-55.19%	+23.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-8.88%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	-18.76%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.38%	-24.50%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.41%	-33.72%	+2.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-1.75%	+1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-9.04%	+4.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.97%	+0.04%

Volatility

TLLIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) has a higher volatility of 4.91% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that TLLIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLLIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	4.64%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.00%	9.75%	+0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.07%	12.43%	-0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.58%	17.14%	-2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.56%	17.99%	-2.43%

TLLIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLLIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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

TLLIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

TLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	2.80%	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 TLLIX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, TLLIX and SPY 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, TLLIX or SPY?

TLLIX has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLIX dropped -31.41% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.16), 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.