TTIIX vs. VFIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TTIIX (TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both Target Retirement Date funds. Over the past 10 years, TTIIX returned 12.31%/yr vs 11.74%/yr for VFIFX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TTIIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.

Performance

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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 TTIIX having a 12.24% return and VFIFX slightly lower at 12.06%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TTIIX having a 12.31% annualized return and VFIFX not far behind at 11.74%.

TTIIX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 5.49%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: 12.31%

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

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

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TTIIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund	12.24%	20.96%	15.35%	20.75%	-17.59%	17.38%	17.22%	26.38%	-7.17%	19.39%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	19.15%

Correlation

The correlation between TTIIX and VFIFX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2011	0.99

The correlation between TTIIX and VFIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TTIIX vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TTIIX

TTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
TTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
TTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
TTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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.

	TTIIX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.51	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	3.47	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.46	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.22	3.21	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	14.25	+0.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TTIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the VFIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TTIIX and VFIFX, 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

	TTIIX	VFIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.51	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.73	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.78	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.52	+0.16

Drawdowns

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TTIIX drawdown since its inception was -31.76%, smaller than the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TTIIX and VFIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TTIIX	VFIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.76%	-51.68%	+19.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-8.87%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-14.54%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.49%	-25.40%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.76%	-31.36%	-0.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.31%	-6.88%	+2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.00%	0.00%

Volatility

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund (TTIIX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) have volatilities of 3.43% and 3.35%, 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

	TTIIX	VFIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.43%	3.35%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	9.02%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	11.36%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.65%	14.18%	+0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.73%	15.11%	+0.62%

TTIIX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TTIIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIFX's 0.08% 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. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison

TTIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, more than VFIFX's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TTIIX TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Index 2055 Fund	2.47%	2.77%	2.20%	2.15%	2.29%	2.03%	1.67%	2.22%	2.63%	0.11%	2.37%	0.29%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TTIIX and VFIFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, TTIIX and VFIFX 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 VFIFX?

TTIIX has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to VFIFX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TTIIX dropped -31.76% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.49), 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.