Asset Class Overview

These funds are invested in shares of stocks from companies in the United States. Generally the mutual funds invested in U.S. equities are considered more aggressive than bonds because the objective is long-term capital growth. Investors can earn income from stocks through capital appreciation and dividends if the company pays a dividend. Since 1990 the average annual return of the S&P 500¹ was 8.52% (from 01/1990 – 12/2010), during which time the best return was 37.58% (2005) and the worst was -37.00% (2008). Some funds are specifically designed to track an index and others do not. You cannot invest directly in an index.

¹ The S&P 500 is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is meant to reflect the risk/return characteristics of the large cap universe.

Funds Within U.S. Equities:
Growth & Income (TIIRX)
Large-Cap Value (TCLCX)
Equity Index (TINRX)
Social Choice Equity (TICRX)
Large-Cap Growth (TIRTX)
Mid-Cap Value (TCMVX)                       
Mid-Cap Growth (TCMGX)
Small-Cap Equity (TCSEX)
Real Estate Securities (TCREX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings

These funds are invested in the stocks of international companies located outside of the United States. Some focus on foreign stocks in developing countries to provide emerging growth. Others focus on regions that are more developed and stable.  By owning the stocks of companies in many different countries, international equity funds offer more diversification than a portfolio of U.S. equities alone. Since 1990 the average annual return of the MSCI EAFE² was 4.23% (from 01/1990 – 12/2010), with the best return being 38.59% (2003) and the worst being -43.38% (2008). Some funds are specifically designed to track an index and others do not.  You cannot invest directly in an index.

² The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada.

Funds Within International Equities:
International Equity (TIERX)
Emerging Markets Equity (TEMSX)
Emerging Markets Equity Index (TEQKX)
Global Natural Resources (TNRLX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings

Fixed income securities are more commonly known as bonds. These funds are primarily invested in government or corporate debt so they are considered more conservative. A fund that invests in bonds will lend money to companies or government agencies for a certain period of time in exchange for regular interest payments. Although the fund holdings may appreciate in value, the primary objective is to provide steady income to investors. Since 1990 the average annual return of the Barclays Capital US Aggregate³ was 6.99% (from 01/1990 – 12/2010), during which the best return was 18.47% (1995) and the worst was -2.92% (1994). Some funds are specifically designed to track an index and others do not.  You cannot invest directly in an index.

³ The Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, which used to be called the "Lehman Aggregate Bond Index," is a broad base index and is often used to represent investment grade bonds being traded in United States.

Funds Within Fixed Income:
Short-Term Bond (TCTRX)
Bond (TIORX)
Bond Index (TBILX)
Bond Plus (TCBPX)
Tax-Exempt Bond (TIXRX)
Inflation-Linked Bond (TCILX)
High-Yield (TIYRX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings

These are balanced funds that offer a combination of stocks and bonds in a single fund.
This type of fund is more conservative than a portfolio made up of all stocks.

Funds Within Asset Allocation:
Managed Allocation Fund (TIMRX)
Lifecycle Retirement Income (TLRRX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings

A money market fund offers stability and has the lowest risk among mutual funds. This fund invests in very short-term government securities, certificates of deposit or other highly liquid securities. This type of fund is often used to invest cash that may be needed within the next few years. Unlike a money market deposit account at a bank, this fund is not federally insured. And although losses are possible, historically, they have been extremely rare. Since 1990 the average annual return of the iMoneyNet Taxable All Average⁴ was 3.57% (from 01/1990 – 12/2010), during which the best return was 7.83% (1990) and the worst was 0.04% (2010). Some funds are specifically designed to track an index and others do not.  You cannot invest directly in an index.

⁴ The average for all major taxable market mutual fund yields published weekly for 7- and 30-day simple and compound (assumes reinvested dividends) yields.

Funds Within Money Market:
Money Market (TIRXX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings

The TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Funds are a series of fund of funds that cover the risk/reward spectrum and range from conservative to aggressive. Each fund has an asset allocation to meet your current life situation and risk profile. These funds can serve as a core holding in your portfolio or as a standalone investment.

Lifestyle Income (TSILX)
Lifestyle Conservative (TSCLX)
Lifestyle Moderate (TSMLX)
Lifestyle Growth (TSGLX)
Lifestyle Aggressive Growth (TSALX)

Research:
Current Performance
Standardized Prior Quarter-End Performance
Distributions
Morningstar Ratings