TLZIX vs. TRRDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TLZIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund) and TRRDX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TLZIX returned 11.09%/yr vs 10.58%/yr for TRRDX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TLZIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for TRRDX.

Performance

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TLZIX having a 10.03% return and TRRDX slightly lower at 10.00%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TLZIX having a 11.09% annualized return and TRRDX not far behind at 10.58%.

TLZIX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 3.95%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

TRRDX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 3.25%
• YTD: 10.00%
• 6M: 6.38%
• 1Y: 18.14%
• 3Y*: 15.45%
• 5Y*: 7.32%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

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

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLZIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund	10.03%	18.86%	13.52%	18.98%	-16.69%	14.86%	16.26%	24.52%	-6.39%	18.09%
TRRDX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund	10.00%	12.53%	13.15%	19.60%	-18.77%	16.52%	18.10%	24.71%	-7.41%	22.03%

Correlation

The correlation between TLZIX and TRRDX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2009	0.97

The correlation between TLZIX and TRRDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TLZIX vs. TRRDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLZIX

TLZIX Risk / Return Rank: 72
TLZIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
TLZIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
TLZIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
TLZIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TLZIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

TRRDX

TRRDX Risk / Return Rank: 33
TRRDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TRRDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
TRRDX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
TRRDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
TRRDX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. TRRDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund (TLZIX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund (TRRDX). 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	TRRDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.69	+0.82
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	2.36	+1.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.32	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	2.05	+1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.46	8.36	+6.10
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. TRRDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLZIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the TRRDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLZIX and TRRDX, 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	TRRDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.69	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.52	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.73	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.59	+0.16

Drawdowns

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLZIX drawdown since its inception was -28.82%, smaller than the maximum TRRDX drawdown of -53.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLZIX and TRRDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLZIX	TRRDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.82%	-53.50%	+24.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.77%	-8.88%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.92%	-14.03%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.21%	-27.26%	+3.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.82%	-31.46%	+2.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.01%	-6.54%	+2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	2.18%	-0.43%

Volatility

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund (TLZIX) and T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund (TRRDX) have volatilities of 3.05% and 3.21%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLZIX	TRRDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	3.21%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.98%	9.58%	-1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.99%	11.40%	-1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.87%	14.14%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.94%	14.63%	-0.69%

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLZIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than TRRDX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLZIX vs. TRRDX - Dividend Comparison

TLZIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, while TRRDX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLZIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2040 Fund	3.47%	3.82%	2.49%	2.11%	2.62%	2.93%	1.95%	2.26%	2.68%	0.18%	2.64%	0.31%
TRRDX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund	0.00%	0.00%	2.26%	5.60%	8.92%	7.92%	4.96%	6.10%	9.51%	3.96%	3.36%	4.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLZIX and TRRDX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, TLZIX and TRRDX 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, TLZIX or TRRDX?

TRRDX has higher volatility (3.21%) compared to TLZIX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLZIX dropped -28.82% vs TRRDX's -53.50%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLZIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.69), 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.