TLZIX vs. SSFNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLZIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund) and SSFNX (State Street Target Retirement Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TLZIX returned 11.13%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for SSFNX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund (TLZIX) and State Street Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLZIX achieves a 10.38% return, which is significantly higher than SSFNX's 5.58% return. Over the past 10 years, TLZIX has outperformed SSFNX with an annualized return of 11.13%, while SSFNX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.89% annualized return.

TLZIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 10.97%
• 1Y: 24.45%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

SSFNX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 5.73%
• 1Y: 13.09%
• 3Y*: 9.93%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

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

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLZIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund	10.38%	18.86%	13.52%	18.98%	-16.69%	14.86%	16.26%	24.52%	-6.39%	18.09%
SSFNX State Street Target Retirement Fund	5.58%	10.93%	7.05%	10.73%	-12.21%	6.87%	10.26%	13.97%	-2.49%	8.92%

Correlation

The correlation between TLZIX and SSFNX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2014	0.91

The correlation between TLZIX and SSFNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLZIX vs. SSFNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLZIX

TLZIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TLZIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
TLZIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
TLZIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
TLZIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TLZIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SSFNX

SSFNX Risk / Return Rank: 88
SSFNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SSFNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SSFNX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SSFNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SSFNX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund (TLZIX) and State Street Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX). 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.

	TLZIX	SSFNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	3.00	-0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	4.41	-0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.62	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.73	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.20	16.97	-2.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLZIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the SSFNX Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLZIX and SSFNX, 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

	TLZIX	SSFNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	3.00	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.70	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.90	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.84	-0.09

Drawdowns

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLZIX drawdown since its inception was -28.82%, which is greater than SSFNX's maximum drawdown of -16.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLZIX and SSFNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLZIX	SSFNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.82%	-16.62%	-12.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.77%	-3.52%	-4.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.92%	-5.40%	-7.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.21%	-16.62%	-7.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.82%	-16.62%	-12.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.01%	-2.52%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	0.77%	+0.98%

Volatility

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund (TLZIX) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to State Street Target Retirement Fund (SSFNX) at 1.41%. This indicates that TLZIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSFNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLZIX	SSFNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	1.41%	+1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.96%	3.53%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.98%	4.38%	+5.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.87%	6.58%	+6.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.94%	6.57%	+7.37%

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TLZIX and SSFNX 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

TLZIX vs. SSFNX - Dividend Comparison

TLZIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, less than SSFNX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSFNX State Street Target Retirement Fund	4.61%	4.86%	5.78%	5.26%	5.12%	6.69%	1.61%	3.35%	4.40%	2.72%	1.84%	2.05%
TLZIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund	3.46%	3.82%	2.49%	2.11%	2.62%	2.93%	1.95%	2.26%	2.68%	0.18%	2.64%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLZIX and SSFNX in my portfolio?

TLZIX and SSFNX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TLZIX or SSFNX?

TLZIX has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to SSFNX (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLZIX dropped -28.82% vs SSFNX's -16.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSFNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.50), 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.