Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America College Retirement Equities Fund 8500 Andrew Carnegie Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28262 | F. Scott Thomas Associate General Counsel (704) 988-3687 (tele) (704) 988-0102 (fax) sthomas@tiaa-cref.org |
April 20, 2010
VIA EDGAR
Michael L. Kosoff, Esq.
Senior Counsel
Office of Insurance Products
Division of Investment Management
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-8629
Re: | Supplemental Response Filing for the TIAA-CREF Life Funds (333-61759, 811-08961) (“Registrant”) |
Dear Mr. Kosoff:
On April 15, 2010, the SEC Staff provided formal comments (the “Comments”) to the Registrant’s most recent 485(a) registration statement amendment filed on March 2, 2010 (the “Filing”). Per the Staff’s request as part of the Comments to the Filing, we are supplementally providing the following documents for each of the funds or portfolios of the Registrant:
1. | Copies of the standard legends (required by Rule 498(b)(1)(v) under the Securities Act of 1933) that the Registrant proposes to use in its new summary prospectuses to be dated May 1, 2010 (collectively, the “Prospectuses”); and | |
2. | Copies of the completed fee and expense tables that Registrant proposes to use in the Prospectuses. |
We appreciate the Staff’s comments and its attention to, and review of, the Filing. As always, we are happy to discuss any additional questions that the Staff may have with regard to the Filing or any of the documents that are being supplementally provided herewith.
Sincerely, | |
/s/ F. Scott Thomas | |
F. Scott Thomas |
SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 GROWTH EQUITY FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLGQX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lflcg. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term return, mainly through capital appreciation, primarily from equity securities. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0%
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.45% Other Expenses 0.31% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.76% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.24% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.52% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.52% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 53 3 Years $ 219 5 Years $ 399 10 Years $ 920 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 GROWTH & INCOME FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLGWX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfgi. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return, through both capital appreciation and investment income, primarily from income-producing equity securities. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.45% Other Expenses 0.24% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.69% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements 2 0.17% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.52% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.52% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 53 3 Years $ 204 5 Years $ 367 10 Years $ 842 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLINX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfie. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return, mainly through capital appreciation, primarily from equity securities of foreign issuers. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.50% Other Expenses 0.31% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.81% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.21% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.60% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.60% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 61 3 Years $ 238 5 Years $ 429 10 Years $ 982 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 LARGE-CAP VALUE FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLLVX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lflcv. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return, mainly through capital appreciation, primarily from equity securities of large domestic companies. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.45% Other Expenses 0.30% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.75% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.23% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.52% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.52% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 53 3 Years $ 217 5 Years $ 394 10 Years $ 909 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 SMALL-CAP EQUITY FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLEQX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfsmce. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return, mainly through capital appreciation, primarily from equity securities of smaller domestic companies. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.48% Other Expenses 0.33% Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 0.05% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.86% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements3 0.26% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.60% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 “Acquired Funds Fees and Expenses” are the Funds’ proportionate amount of the expenses of any investment companies or pools in which they invest. These expenses are not paid directly by Fund shareholders. Instead, Fund shareholders bear these expenses indirectly because they reduce Fund performance. Because “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are included in the chart above, the Fund’s operating expenses here will not correlate with the expenses included in the Financial Highlights in this prospectus and the Fund’s 2009 annual report. 3 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.55% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 61 3 Years $ 248 5 Years $ 451 10 Years $ 1,037 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 STOCK INDEX FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLSTX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfxe. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return, mainly through capital appreciation, by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities selected to track the overall U.S. equity markets. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.06% Other Expenses 0.20% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.26% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.17% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.09% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.09% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 9 3 Years $ 66 5 Years $ 129 10 Years $ 314 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 SOCIAL CHOICE EQUITY FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLCHX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfsoc. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks a favorable long-term total return that reflects the investment performance of the overall U.S. stock market while giving special consideration to certain social criteria. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.15% Other Expenses 0.36% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.51% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.29% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.22% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.22% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 23 3 Years $ 134 5 Years $ 256 10 Years $ 612 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLRSX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfres. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks to obtain a favorable long-term total return through both capital appreciation and current income, by investing primarily in equity securities of companies principally engaged in or related to the real estate industry. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.50% Other Expenses 0.24% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.74% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.17% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.57% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.57% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 58 3 Years $ 219 5 Years $ 395 10 Years $ 902 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 BOND FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLBDX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfb. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks as favorable a long-term total return through income as is consistent with preserving capital, primarily from investment-grade fixed-income securities. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.30% Other Expenses 0.23% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.53% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.18% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.35% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.35% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 36 3 Years $ 152 5 Years $ 278 10 Years $ 648 SUMMARY PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2010 MONEY MARKET FUND of the TIAA-CREF Life Funds Ticker: TLMMX Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.tiaa-cref.org/lfmm. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800 223-1200 or by sending an e-mail request to disclosure@tiaa-cref.org. The Fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated May 1, 2010, and the audited financial statements on pages76-113 of the Fund’s shareholder report dated December 31, 2009, are incorporated into this Summary Prospectus by reference and may be obtained free of charge at the website, phone number or e-mail address noted above. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund seeks high current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. FEES AND EXPENSES The following table describes the fees and expenses that you pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (deducted directly from gross amount of transaction) Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (percentage of offering price) 0% Maximum Deferred Sales Charge 0% Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Other Distributions 0% Redemption Fee 0% Exchange Fee 0% ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1) Management Fees 0.10% Other Expenses 0.20% Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.30% Waivers and Expense Reimbursements2 0.15% Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.15% 1 Expense information has been restated to reflect the Fund’s new advisory and administration agreements effective May 1, 2010. 2 Under the Fund’s expense reimbursement arrangements, the Fund’s investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, Inc. (“Advisors”), has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and extraordinary expenses) that exceed 0.15% of average daily net assets for shares of the Fund. These expense reimbursement arrangements will continue through at least April 30, 2011 unless changed with approval of the Board of Trustees. Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses, before expense reimbursements, remain the same. The example assumes that the Fund’s expense reimbursement agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2011 but that there will be no waiver or expense reimbursement agreement in effect thereafter. The example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy and the costs in the example would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year $ 15 3 Years $ 81 5 Years $ 154 10 Years $ 366