v3.25.2
Shareholder Report
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
USD ($)
Holding
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Document Type N-CSRS
Amendment Flag false
Registrant Name TIAA-CREF Life Funds
Entity Central Index Key 0001068204
Entity Investment Company Type N-1A
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2025
C000013875 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Growth Equity Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Growth Equity Fund
Trading Symbol TLGQX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Growth Equity Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Growth Equity Fund
   $27     0.52%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 27
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.52% [1]
Net Assets $ 191,885,684
Holdings Count | Holding 61
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 22.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $191,885,684  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      61  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      22%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO   
C000013876 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Money Market Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Money Market Fund
Trading Symbol TLMXX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Money Market Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a  
$10,000 investment  
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Money Market Fund
   $8     0.15%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 8
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.15% [2]
Net Assets $ 145,027,699
Holdings Count | Holding 60
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $145,027,699  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      60  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013877 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Core Equity Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Core Equity Fund
Trading Symbol TLGWX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Core Equity Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Core Equity Fund
   $26    0.52%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 26
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.52% [3]
Net Assets $ 212,015,075
Holdings Count | Holding 55
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 62.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $212,015,075  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      55  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      62%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO   
C000013878 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life International Equity Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life International Equity Fund
Trading Symbol TLINX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life International Equity Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life International Equity Fund
   $33    0.60%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 33
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.60% [4]
Net Assets $ 167,409,831
Holdings Count | Holding 70
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 17.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $167,409,831  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      70  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      17%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO    LOGO
C000013879 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Large Cap Value Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Large Cap Value Fund
Trading Symbol TLLVX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Large Cap Value Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Large Cap Value Fund
   $27    0.52%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 27
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.52% [5]
Net Assets $ 85,260,902
Holdings Count | Holding 79
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 14.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $85,260,902  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      79  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      14%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013880 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Small Cap Equity Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Small Cap Equity Fund
Trading Symbol TLEQX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Small Cap Equity Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a  
$10,000 investment  
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Small Cap Equity Fund
   $26     0.53%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 26
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.53% [6]
Net Assets $ 65,296,526
Holdings Count | Holding 392
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 37.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $65,296,526  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      392  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      37%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013881 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Stock Index Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Stock Index Fund
Trading Symbol TLSTX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Stock Index Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a  
$10,000 investment  
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Stock Index Fund
   $4     0.08%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 4
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.08% [7]
Net Assets $ 879,721,044
Holdings Count | Holding 2,633
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 1.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $879,721,044  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      2,633  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      1%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013882 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Large Cap Responsible Equity Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Large Cap Responsible Equity Fund
Trading Symbol TLCHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Large Cap Responsible Equity Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Large Cap Responsible Equity Fund
   $11    0.22%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 11
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.22% [8]
Net Assets $ 100,686,293
Holdings Count | Holding 121
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 20.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $100,686,293  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      121  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      20%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013883 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Real Estate Securities Select Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Real Estate Securities Select Fund
Trading Symbol TLRSX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Real Estate Securities Select Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a  
$10,000 investment  
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Real Estate Securities Select Fund
   $29     0.57%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 29
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.57% [9]
Net Assets $ 62,828,441
Holdings Count | Holding 47
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 19.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $62,828,441  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      47  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      19%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
C000013884 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Core Bond Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Core Bond Fund
Trading Symbol TLBDX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Core Bond Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a 
$10,000 investment 
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Core Bond Fund
   $18    0.35%
* Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 18
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.35% [10]
Net Assets $ 204,303,373
Holdings Count | Holding 987
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 42.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $204,303,373  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      987  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      42%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
  
LOGO
(1) Credit quality ratings are based on the Bloomberg Barclays methodology, which uses the median rating of those compiled by the Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch ratings agencies. If ratings are available from only two of these agencies, the lower rating is used. When only one rating is available, that one is used. These ratings are subject to change without notice.
Credit Ratings Selection [Text Block] Credit quality ratings are based on the Bloomberg Barclays methodology, which uses the median rating of those compiled by the Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch ratings agencies. If ratings are available from only two of these agencies, the lower rating is used. When only one rating is available, that one is used. These ratings are subject to change without notice.
C000135632 [Member]  
Shareholder Report [Line Items]  
Fund Name Nuveen Life Balanced Fund
Class Name Nuveen Life Balanced Fund
Trading Symbol TLBAX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about the Nuveen Life Balanced Fund for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual semi-annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block] You can find additional information athttps://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/. You can also request this information by contacting us at (800) 842‑2252.
Additional Information Phone Number (800) 842‑2252
Additional Information Website https://www.tiaa.org/public/prospectuses/
Expenses [Text Block]
What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
   
   
Cost of a  
$10,000 investment  
   Costs paid as a percentage of
$10,000 investment*
     
Nuveen Life Balanced Fund
   $5     0.10%
* The Fund’s ratios do not include the expenses or income of the Underlying Funds related to the Balanced Fund. Annualized for period less than one year.
Expenses Paid, Amount $ 5
Expense Ratio, Percent 0.10% [11]
Net Assets $ 67,091,380
Holdings Count | Holding 8
Investment Company Portfolio Turnover 6.00%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]
Fund Statistics (as of June 30, 2025)
Fund net assets
      $67,091,380  
Total number of portfolio holdings
      8  
Portfolio turnover (%)
      6%  
Holdings [Text Block]
LOGO
(1) Affiliated investment companies (Underlying Funds)
[1] Annualized for period less than one year.
[2] Annualized for period less than one year.
[3] Annualized for period less than one year.
[4] Annualized for period less than one year.
[5] Annualized for period less than one year.
[6] Annualized for period less than one year.
[7] Annualized for period less than one year.
[8] Annualized for period less than one year.
[9] Annualized for period less than one year.
[10] Annualized for period less than one year.
[11] The Fund’s ratios do not include the expenses or income of the Underlying Funds related to the Balanced Fund. Annualized for period less than one year.