TTIIX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

TTIIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - TTIIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by TIAA Investments, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, TTIIX returned 12.41%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TTIIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

TTIIX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TTIIX achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 13.29% return. Over the past 10 years, TTIIX has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 12.41%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.74% annualized return.

TTIIX

• 1D: -1.85%
• 1M: -0.15%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 8.64%
• 1Y: 22.55%
• 3Y*: 18.57%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 12.41%

VEA

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 13.29%
• 6M: 12.91%
• 1Y: 28.78%
• 3Y*: 19.54%
• 5Y*: 9.47%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

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

TTIIX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TTIIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund	9.51%	20.96%	15.35%	20.75%	-17.59%	17.38%	17.22%	26.38%	-7.17%	19.39%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	13.29%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between TTIIX and VEA is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2011	0.90

The correlation between TTIIX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TTIIX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

TTIIX

TTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 56
TTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
TTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
TTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
TTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 57
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VEA 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.

TTIIX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TTIIX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.73	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.38	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	2.49	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.78	9.55	+2.23

TTIIX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TTIIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TTIIX and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TTIIX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TTIIX drawdown since its inception was -31.76%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TTIIX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TTIIX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.76%	-60.68%	+28.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-11.63%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-13.45%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.49%	-29.71%	+4.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.76%	-35.73%	+3.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-2.91%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.30%	-13.26%	+8.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	3.02%	-0.97%

Volatility

TTIIX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) is 5.24%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 7.08%. This indicates that TTIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TTIIX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	7.08%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	14.73%	-4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.41%	16.78%	-4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.79%	16.76%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.72%	17.20%	-1.48%

TTIIX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TTIIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% 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

TTIIX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

TTIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, less than VEA's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TTIIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund	2.53%	2.77%	2.20%	2.15%	2.29%	2.03%	1.67%	2.22%	2.63%	0.11%	2.37%	0.29%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.58%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TTIIX and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, TTIIX and VEA 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, TTIIX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (7.08%) compared to TTIIX (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TTIIX dropped -31.76% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TTIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.73), 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.