Exhibit 12(b)

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of the TIAA-CREF Funds does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The report on Form N-CSR of the TIAA-CREF Funds (the “Funds”) (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Funds.

Dated:	May 16, 2016	By:	/s/ Robert G. Leary
			Robert G. Leary
			Principal Executive Officer and President
			(principal executive officer)
Dated:	May 16, 2016	By:	/s/ Phillip G. Goff
			Phillip G. Goff
			Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer
			(principal financial officer)