Exhibit (j)(2)(a)

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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated July 19, 2013, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the May 31, 2013 Annual Report to shareholders of the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Income Fund, Lifecycle 2010 Fund, Lifecycle 2015 Fund, Lifecycle 2020 Fund, Lifecycle 2025 Fund, Lifecycle 2030 Fund, Lifecycle 2035 Fund, Lifecycle 2040 Fund, Lifecycle 2045 Fund, Lifecycle 2050 Fund, and Lifecycle 2055 Fund which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Experts”, and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

September 23, 2013

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 100 East Pratt Street, Suite 1900, Baltimore, MD 21202

T: (410) 783 7600, F: (410) 783 7680, www.pwc.com/us