TLRIX vs. SMIFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TLRIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund) and SMIFX (Sound Mind Investing Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TLRIX returned 6.25%/yr vs 9.72%/yr for SMIFX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TLRIX charges 0.26%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for SMIFX.

Performance

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund (TLRIX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLRIX achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly lower than SMIFX's 15.84% return. Over the past 10 years, TLRIX has underperformed SMIFX with an annualized return of 6.25%, while SMIFX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.72% annualized return.

TLRIX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.14%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 6M: 3.76%
• 1Y: 11.54%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: 4.43%
• 10Y*: 6.25%

SMIFX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 15.84%
• 6M: 14.50%
• 1Y: 20.23%
• 3Y*: 12.61%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

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

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLRIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund	3.85%	11.79%	7.65%	10.80%	-12.53%	7.06%	11.10%	15.31%	-3.87%	10.39%
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	15.84%	3.16%	16.65%	5.17%	-8.93%	11.15%	20.76%	19.28%	-8.56%	17.49%

Correlation

The correlation between TLRIX and SMIFX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2007	0.86

The correlation between TLRIX and SMIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLRIX vs. SMIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLRIX

TLRIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
TLRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
TLRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TLRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
TLRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
TLRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SMIFX

SMIFX Risk / Return Rank: 44
SMIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SMIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SMIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SMIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund (TLRIX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). 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.

	TLRIX	SMIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.71	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	2.32	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.31	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.87	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	9.07	+1.52

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLRIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the SMIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLRIX and SMIFX, 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

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLRIX drawdown since its inception was -26.71%, smaller than the maximum SMIFX drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLRIX and SMIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLRIX	SMIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.71%	-54.33%	+27.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-7.42%	+2.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.02%	-19.98%	+13.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.15%	-41.36%	+24.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.15%	-41.36%	+24.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-9.55%	+9.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-14.27%	+10.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	2.34%	-1.21%

Volatility

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund (TLRIX) is 2.21%, while Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX) has a volatility of 5.19%. This indicates that TLRIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLRIX	SMIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	5.19%	-2.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.91%	9.92%	-5.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.87%	12.45%	-6.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.76%	29.06%	-22.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.84%	24.22%	-17.38%

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLRIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than SMIFX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLRIX vs. SMIFX - Dividend Comparison

TLRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, less than SMIFX's 4.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	4.60%	5.33%	1.28%	1.73%	0.97%	46.86%	0.00%	0.48%	26.02%	10.06%	0.00%	14.94%
TLRIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund	4.42%	5.23%	3.53%	3.32%	6.10%	7.66%	5.77%	3.85%	6.04%	2.13%	3.75%	2.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLRIX and SMIFX in my portfolio?

TLRIX and SMIFX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLRIX or SMIFX?

SMIFX has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to TLRIX (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLRIX dropped -26.71% vs SMIFX's -54.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.71), 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.