TRRNX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TRRNX (T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TRRNX returned 11.17%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TRRNX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund (TRRNX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRRNX achieves a 11.87% return, which is significantly higher than PPLIX's 9.45% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TRRNX having a 11.17% annualized return and PPLIX not far ahead at 11.60%.

TRRNX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.69%
• YTD: 11.87%
• 6M: 8.12%
• 1Y: 21.43%
• 3Y*: 17.29%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

PPLIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 9.45%
• 6M: 9.80%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 11.60%

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

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRRNX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund	11.87%	14.33%	14.24%	20.88%	-19.17%	17.42%	18.54%	25.40%	-7.70%	20.78%
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.45%	17.55%	19.12%	20.36%	-18.78%	17.04%	16.56%	26.67%	-8.74%	22.12%

Correlation

The correlation between TRRNX and PPLIX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
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 Jan 4, 2007	0.97

The correlation between TRRNX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRRNX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRRNX

TRRNX Risk / Return Rank: 39
TRRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
TRRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TRRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
TRRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TRRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

PPLIX

PPLIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
PPLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
PPLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
PPLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
PPLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund (TRRNX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). 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.

	TRRNX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.99	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.81	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.37	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	2.68	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.47	12.05	-2.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRRNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRRNX and PPLIX, 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

	TRRNX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	1.99	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.62	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.75	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.46	+0.01

Drawdowns

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRRNX drawdown since its inception was -53.59%, roughly equal to the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRRNX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRRNX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.59%	-55.61%	+2.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.84%	-8.57%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.61%	-15.59%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.03%	-26.85%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.54%	-32.67%	+0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-8.30%	+0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.90%	+0.43%

Volatility

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund (TRRNX) has a higher volatility of 3.51% compared to Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) at 3.25%. This indicates that TRRNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRRNX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	3.25%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	9.22%	+1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.55%	11.56%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.32%	15.47%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.56%	15.59%	-0.03%

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRRNX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRRNX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

TRRNX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PPLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.09%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPLIX Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund	9.09%	9.95%	11.56%	4.41%	9.40%	8.04%	5.23%	7.16%	8.64%	5.12%	4.82%	6.07%
TRRNX T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.77%	3.81%	7.01%	5.83%	3.40%	5.41%	7.55%	2.12%	2.62%	3.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRRNX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TRRNX and PPLIX 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, TRRNX or PPLIX?

TRRNX has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to PPLIX (3.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRRNX dropped -53.59% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.78), 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.