TLLIX vs. TFITX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLLIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund) and TFITX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from TIAA Investments. Over the past 5 years, TLLIX returned 10.53%/yr vs 11.00%/yr for TFITX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLLIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for TFITX.

Performance

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX). 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 TLLIX having a 12.02% return and TFITX slightly higher at 12.57%.

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%

TFITX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 12.57%
• 6M: 13.32%
• 1Y: 28.76%
• 3Y*: 20.29%
• 5Y*: 11.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TLLIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund	12.02%	20.75%	15.17%	20.53%	-17.52%	17.12%	9.99%
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund	12.57%	21.24%	15.76%	21.16%	-17.62%	18.06%	10.38%

Correlation

The correlation between TLLIX and TFITX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2020	1.00

The correlation between TLLIX and TFITX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLLIX vs. TFITX — 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

TFITX

TFITX Risk / Return Rank: 70
TFITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
TFITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
TFITX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TFITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TFITX 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.

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX). 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	TFITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.48	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	3.44	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.45	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	3.22	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	14.40	-0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the TFITX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLLIX and TFITX, 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	TFITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.48	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.74	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.92	-0.18

Drawdowns

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLLIX drawdown since its inception was -31.41%, which is greater than TFITX's maximum drawdown of -25.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLLIX and TFITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLLIX	TFITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.41%	-25.64%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.79%	-9.12%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	-15.56%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.38%	-25.64%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-5.27%	+1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.03%	-0.06%

Volatility

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2050 Fund (TLLIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund (TFITX) have volatilities of 3.38% and 3.47%, 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

	TLLIX	TFITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	3.47%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	9.43%	-0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	11.84%	-0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.47%	14.98%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	14.84%	+0.68%

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLLIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than TFITX's 0.11% 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

TLLIX vs. TFITX - Dividend Comparison

TLLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than TFITX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TFITX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2065 Fund	2.17%	2.44%	2.12%	2.05%	2.09%	1.84%	1.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 TFITX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, TLLIX and TFITX 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 TFITX?

TFITX has higher volatility (3.47%) compared to TLLIX (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLLIX dropped -31.41% vs TFITX's -25.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.48), 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.