TLQIX vs. FTLSX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TLQIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund) and FTLSX (Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 5 years, TLQIX returned 6.11%/yr vs 3.42%/yr for FTLSX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLQIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FTLSX.

Performance

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLQIX achieves a 6.56% return, which is significantly higher than FTLSX's 5.00% return.

TLQIX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 6.56%
• 6M: 6.28%
• 1Y: 15.94%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

FTLSX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 4.95%
• 1Y: 10.86%
• 3Y*: 8.18%
• 5Y*: 3.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund	6.56%	14.51%	9.46%	14.18%	-15.04%	10.12%	14.00%	19.84%	-4.45%	4.75%
FTLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund	5.00%	10.31%	4.72%	8.60%	-11.33%	3.30%	9.04%	10.97%	-1.40%	3.61%

Correlation

The correlation between TLQIX and FTLSX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2017	0.81

The correlation between TLQIX and FTLSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (all time) to 0.91 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TLQIX vs. FTLSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLQIX

TLQIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
TLQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
TLQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
TLQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
TLQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

FTLSX

FTLSX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FTLSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FTLSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FTLSX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FTLSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FTLSX 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.

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) and Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX). 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.

	TLQIX	FTLSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.29	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.34	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.47	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.09	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.93	13.33	-0.40

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLQIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the FTLSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLQIX and FTLSX, 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

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLQIX drawdown since its inception was -21.30%, which is greater than FTLSX's maximum drawdown of -15.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLQIX and FTLSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLQIX	FTLSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.30%	-15.74%	-5.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.55%	-3.65%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.51%	-4.83%	-6.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.99%	-15.74%	-5.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.28%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-2.80%	-0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	0.84%	+0.44%

Volatility

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) has a higher volatility of 2.92% compared to Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund (FTLSX) at 2.26%. This indicates that TLQIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLQIX	FTLSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	2.26%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	4.27%	+1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.37%	4.94%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.80%	5.51%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.11%	4.81%	+5.30%

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLQIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than FTLSX's 0.00% 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

TLQIX vs. FTLSX - Dividend Comparison

TLQIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.75%, more than FTLSX's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLSX Fidelity Flex Freedom Blend Income Fund	3.52%	3.68%	3.37%	3.19%	5.28%	4.91%	3.06%	4.44%	4.26%	1.97%	0.00%	0.00%
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund	5.75%	6.12%	5.79%	2.58%	2.99%	3.94%	2.15%	2.44%	2.73%	0.13%	2.43%	0.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLQIX and FTLSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, TLQIX and FTLSX 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, TLQIX or FTLSX?

TLQIX has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to FTLSX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLQIX dropped -21.30% vs FTLSX's -15.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.26), 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.