TLLIX vs. SSFNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) and SSFNX (State Street Target Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX returned 12.17%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for SSFNX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - 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 Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLLIX achieves a 12.02% return, which is significantly higher than SSFNX's 5.58% return. Over the past 10 years, TLLIX has outperformed SSFNX with an annualized return of 12.17%, while SSFNX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.89% annualized return.

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%

SSFNX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 5.73%
• 1Y: 13.09%
• 3Y*: 9.93%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

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

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SSFNX State Street Target Retirement Fund	5.58%	10.93%	7.05%	10.73%	-12.21%	6.87%	10.26%	13.97%	-2.49%	8.92%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLIX and SSFNX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.90

The correlation between TLLIX and SSFNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLLIX vs. SSFNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

SSFNX

SSFNX Risk / Return Rank: 88
SSFNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SSFNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SSFNX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SSFNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SSFNX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. SSFNX - 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 Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX). 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.

	TLLIX	SSFNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	3.00	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	4.41	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.62	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	3.73	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	16.97	-2.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the SSFNX Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLIX and SSFNX, 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

	TLLIX	SSFNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	3.00	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.70	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.90	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.84	-0.10

Drawdowns

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLIX drawdown since its inception was -31.41%, which is greater than SSFNX's maximum drawdown of -16.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLIX and SSFNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLIX	SSFNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.41%	-16.62%	-14.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-3.52%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	-5.40%	-9.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.38%	-16.62%	-8.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.41%	-16.62%	-14.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-2.52%	-1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	0.77%	+1.20%

Volatility

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) has a higher volatility of 3.38% compared to State Street Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX) at 1.41%. This indicates that TLLIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSFNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLLIX	SSFNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	1.41%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	3.53%	+5.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	4.38%	+6.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.47%	6.58%	+7.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	6.57%	+8.95%

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TLLIX and SSFNX have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TLLIX vs. SSFNX - Dividend Comparison

TLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than SSFNX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSFNX State Street Target Retirement Fund	4.61%	4.86%	5.78%	5.26%	5.12%	6.69%	1.61%	3.35%	4.40%	2.72%	1.84%	2.05%
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 TLLIX and SSFNX in my portfolio?

TLLIX and SSFNX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLLIX or SSFNX?

TLLIX has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to SSFNX (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLIX dropped -31.41% vs SSFNX's -16.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSFNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.49), 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.