TTFIX vs. PPLIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TTFIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund) and PPLIX (Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TTFIX returned 11.00%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for PPLIX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TTFIX charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for PPLIX.

Performance

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund (TTFIX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TTFIX having a 9.15% return and PPLIX slightly higher at 9.45%. Over the past 10 years, TTFIX has underperformed PPLIX with an annualized return of 11.00%, while PPLIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.60% annualized return.

TTFIX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 4.28%
• YTD: 9.15%
• 6M: 9.81%
• 1Y: 23.40%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: 11.00%

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)

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TTFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund	9.15%	18.19%	13.81%	19.47%	-17.38%	15.83%	17.29%	25.88%	-9.67%	20.10%
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 TTFIX and PPLIX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2007	0.98

The correlation between TTFIX and PPLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TTFIX vs. PPLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TTFIX

TTFIX Risk / Return Rank: 54
TTFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
TTFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
TTFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TTFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
TTFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund (TTFIX) 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.

	TTFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.99	+0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.81	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.37	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.68	+0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.81	12.05	-0.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TTFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the PPLIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TTFIX 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

	TTFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	1.99	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.62	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.75	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.46	-0.03

Drawdowns

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TTFIX drawdown since its inception was -53.24%, roughly equal to the maximum PPLIX drawdown of -55.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TTFIX and PPLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TTFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.24%	-55.61%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-8.57%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.79%	-15.59%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-26.85%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.21%	-32.67%	+0.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-8.30%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	1.90%	+0.11%

Volatility

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund (TTFIX) and Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund (PPLIX) have volatilities of 3.23% and 3.25%, 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

	TTFIX	PPLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	3.25%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.74%	9.22%	-0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.01%	11.56%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.08%	15.47%	-1.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.57%	15.59%	-0.02%

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TTFIX has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than PPLIX's 0.01% 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%.

Dividends

TTFIX vs. PPLIX - Dividend Comparison

TTFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.17%, less than PPLIX's 9.09% yield.

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%
TTFIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2045 Fund	7.17%	7.82%	3.97%	2.13%	9.04%	12.44%	7.49%	5.70%	5.45%	0.84%	4.01%	3.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TTFIX and PPLIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, TTFIX 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, TTFIX or PPLIX?

PPLIX has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to TTFIX (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TTFIX dropped -53.24% vs PPLIX's -55.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TTFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.99), 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.