TSGGX vs. TPDAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TSGGX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund) and TPDAX (Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TSGGX returned 9.92%/yr vs 7.14%/yr for TPDAX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSGGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 1.37%/yr for TPDAX.

Performance

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund (TSGGX) and Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSGGX achieves a 8.21% return, which is significantly lower than TPDAX's 11.02% return. Over the past 10 years, TSGGX has outperformed TPDAX with an annualized return of 9.92%, while TPDAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.14% annualized return.

TSGGX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.14%
• YTD: 8.21%
• 6M: 8.76%
• 1Y: 21.56%
• 3Y*: 16.38%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 9.92%

TPDAX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -1.77%
• YTD: 11.02%
• 6M: 12.32%
• 1Y: 25.45%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

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

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSGGX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund	8.21%	17.42%	12.98%	19.45%	-18.19%	13.49%	17.44%	23.66%	-9.29%	18.11%
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	11.02%	23.97%	5.29%	7.71%	-5.63%	12.15%	8.83%	13.77%	-7.24%	4.14%

Correlation

The correlation between TSGGX and TPDAX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2011	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between TSGGX and TPDAX has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TSGGX vs. TPDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSGGX

TSGGX Risk / Return Rank: 51
TSGGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
TSGGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
TSGGX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
TSGGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
TSGGX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

TPDAX

TPDAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
TPDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TPDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TPDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
TPDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
TPDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund (TSGGX) and Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX). 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.

	TSGGX	TPDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.27	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.92	-0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.34	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.98	11.37	-0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSGGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the TPDAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSGGX and TPDAX, 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

	TSGGX	TPDAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.27	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.84	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.72	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.60	+0.16

Drawdowns

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSGGX drawdown since its inception was -29.75%, which is greater than TPDAX's maximum drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSGGX and TPDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSGGX	TPDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.75%	-22.29%	-7.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.60%	-7.58%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.88%	-7.58%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	-17.58%	-8.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.75%	-22.29%	-7.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-3.48%	+3.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-4.92%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	2.22%	-0.26%

Volatility

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund (TSGGX) has a higher volatility of 3.18% compared to Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund (TPDAX) at 2.88%. This indicates that TSGGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TPDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSGGX	TPDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	2.88%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.50%	9.48%	-0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.62%	11.15%	-0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.23%	10.17%	+3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.20%	9.89%	+4.31%

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSGGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than TPDAX's 1.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSGGX vs. TPDAX - Dividend Comparison

TSGGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.59%, more than TPDAX's 0.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TPDAX Timothy Plan Defensive Strategies Fund	0.72%	0.80%	2.76%	2.35%	4.48%	0.50%	0.00%	2.89%	2.69%	0.13%	0.33%	0.00%
TSGGX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Growth Fund	6.59%	7.14%	2.83%	2.34%	8.15%	11.10%	6.38%	4.81%	5.33%	0.63%	3.82%	5.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSGGX and TPDAX in my portfolio?

TSGGX and TPDAX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSGGX or TPDAX?

TSGGX has higher volatility (3.18%) compared to TPDAX (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSGGX dropped -29.75% vs TPDAX's -22.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TPDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.04), 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.