TLWIX vs. TISPX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) and TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX).

TLWIX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Sep 29, 2009. TISPX is managed by TIAA Investments. It was launched on Oct 1, 2002.

Performance

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) and TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund	-0.80%	13.75%	8.69%	13.06%	-14.37%	8.73%	13.06%	17.96%	-3.77%	11.56%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	-4.34%	17.79%	24.94%	26.22%	-18.13%	28.66%	18.34%	31.44%	-4.52%	19.58%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLWIX achieves a -0.80% return, which is significantly higher than TISPX's -4.34% return. Over the past 10 years, TLWIX has underperformed TISPX with an annualized return of 6.84%, while TISPX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.81% annualized return.

TLWIX

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: -3.23%
• YTD: -0.80%
• 6M: 0.76%
• 1Y: 11.25%
• 3Y*: 9.73%
• 5Y*: 4.81%
• 10Y*: 6.84%

TISPX

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.02%
• YTD: -4.34%
• 6M: -2.19%
• 1Y: 17.27%
• 3Y*: 18.25%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 13.81%

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

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLWIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than TISPX's 0.05% 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%.

TLWIX

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund

TISPX

TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund

Return for Risk

TLWIX vs. TISPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLWIX

TLWIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
TLWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
TLWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
TLWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
TLWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
TLWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

TISPX

TISPX Risk / Return Rank: 55
TISPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
TISPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
TISPX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
TISPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
TISPX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) and TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX). 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.

	TLWIX	TISPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	0.98	+0.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	1.49	+0.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.23	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	1.32	+0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.33	6.36	+1.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLWIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is higher than the TISPX Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLWIX and TISPX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TLWIX	TISPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46	0.98	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.70	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.77	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.59	+0.17

Correlation

The correlation between TLWIX and TISPX is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Dividend Comparison

TLWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.44%, more than TISPX's 2.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLWIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund	7.44%	7.38%	6.98%	3.45%	3.25%	5.17%	2.31%	2.31%	2.91%	0.14%	2.35%	0.21%
TISPX TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund	2.46%	2.35%	1.52%	1.48%	1.91%	1.77%	1.53%	2.16%	2.94%	0.36%	2.39%	0.65%

Drawdowns

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLWIX drawdown since its inception was -19.93%, smaller than the maximum TISPX drawdown of -55.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLWIX and TISPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLWIX	TISPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.93%	-55.16%	+35.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.79%	-12.11%	+6.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.93%	-24.48%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.93%	-33.75%	+13.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.74%	-6.23%	+2.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.07%	-6.76%	+3.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	2.52%	-1.18%

Volatility

TLWIX vs. TISPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund (TLWIX) is 3.18%, while TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (TISPX) has a volatility of 5.34%. This indicates that TLWIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TISPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLWIX	TISPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	5.34%	-2.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.81%	9.53%	-4.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.00%	18.33%	-10.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.18%	16.90%	-7.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.08%	18.05%	-8.97%