TLQIX vs. TLWIX
TLQIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund) and TLWIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds from TIAA Investments. Over the past 10 years, TLQIX returned 8.22%/yr vs 7.44%/yr for TLWIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.
Performance
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TLQIX achieves a 6.73% return, which is significantly higher than TLWIX's 6.16% return. Over the past 10 years, TLQIX has outperformed TLWIX with an annualized return of 8.22%, while TLWIX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.44% annualized return.
TLQIX
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 1.28%
- YTD
- 6.73%
- 6M
- 6.68%
- 1Y
- 16.70%
- 3Y*
- 12.09%
- 5Y*
- 6.30%
- 10Y*
- 8.22%
TLWIX
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- 1.24%
- YTD
- 6.16%
- 6M
- 6.16%
- 1Y
- 15.44%
- 3Y*
- 11.29%
- 5Y*
- 5.74%
- 10Y*
- 7.44%
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund | 6.73% | 14.51% | 9.46% | 14.18% | -15.04% | 10.12% | 14.00% | 19.84% | -4.45% | 13.23% |
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund | 6.16% | 13.75% | 8.69% | 13.06% | -14.37% | 8.73% | 13.06% | 17.96% | -3.77% | 11.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between TLQIX and TLWIX 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 (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2009 | 0.99 |
The correlation between TLQIX and TLWIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TLQIX vs. TLWIX — Risk / Return Rank
TLQIX
TLWIX
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX). 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 | TLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.44 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.01 | 3.00 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.96 | 13.05 | -0.10 |
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Drawdowns
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TLQIX drawdown since its inception was -21.30%, which is greater than TLWIX's maximum drawdown of -19.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLQIX and TLWIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TLQIX | TLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.30% | -19.93% | -1.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.55% | -5.15% | -0.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.51% | -11.61% | +0.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.99% | -19.93% | -1.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.30% | -19.93% | -1.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -0.19% | -0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.29% | -3.04% | -0.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.28% | 1.18% | +0.10% |
Volatility
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Volatility Comparison
TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund (TLQIX) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) at 2.81%. This indicates that TLQIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLWIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TLQIX | TLWIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.01% | 2.81% | +0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.18% | 5.65% | +0.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.36% | 6.75% | +0.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.80% | 9.27% | +0.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.12% | 9.12% | +1.00% |
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both TLQIX and TLWIX 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
TLQIX vs. TLWIX - Dividend Comparison
TLQIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, less than TLWIX's 6.96% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TLQIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2025 Fund | 5.74% | 6.12% | 5.79% | 2.58% | 2.99% | 3.94% | 2.15% | 2.44% | 2.73% | 0.13% | 2.43% | 0.23% |
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund | 6.96% | 7.38% | 6.98% | 3.45% | 3.25% | 5.17% | 2.31% | 2.31% | 2.91% | 0.14% | 2.35% | 0.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, TLQIX and TLWIX 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.
TLQIX has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to TLWIX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLQIX dropped -21.30% vs TLWIX's -19.93%.
TLWIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.27), 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.
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