EDGAR HTML
Prospectus
February 1, 2023
DWS GNMA Fund
CLASS/TICKER
A
GGGGX
C
GCGGX
R
GRGGX
R6
GRRGX
INST
GIGGX
S
SGINX
 

DWS High Income Fund
CLASS/TICKER
A
KHYAX
C
KHYCX
R
KHYRX
R6
KHYQX
INST
KHYIX
S
KHYSX
 

DWS Global High Income Fund
CLASS/TICKER
A
SGHAX
C
SGHCX
R6
SGHRX
INST
MGHYX
S
SGHSX
 

DWS Short Duration Fund
CLASS/TICKER
A
PPIAX
C
PPLCX
R6
PPLZX
INST
PPILX
S
DBPIX
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not approve or disapprove these shares or determine whether the information in this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is a criminal offense for anyone to inform you otherwise.

Table of Contents
 
1
1
2
2
5
6
6
7
7
 
8
8
9
9
12
13
13
14
14
 
15
15
16
16
20
21
21
21
21

Your investment in a fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.


DWS GNMA Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks to produce a high level of income.
Fees and Expenses
These are the fees and expenses you may pay when you buy, hold and sell shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A shares if you and your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in DWS funds. More information about these and other discounts and waivers is available from your financial representative and in Choosing a Share Class (p.58), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries (Appendix B, p. 112) and Purchase and Redemption of Shares in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (p. II-15).
SHAREHOLDER FEES (paid directly from your investment)
 
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
Maximum sales charge (load)
imposed on purchases, as %
of offering price
2.75
None
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales
charge (load), as % of
redemption proceeds1
None
1.00
None
None
None
None
Account Maintenance Fee
(annually, for fund account
balances below $10,000 and
subject to certain exceptions)
$20
$20
None
None
None
$20
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
 
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
Management fee
0.31
0.31
0.31
0.31
0.31
0.31
Distribution/service (12b-1)
fees
0.22
1.00
0.50
None
None
None
Other expenses
0.28
0.24
0.40
0.17
0.24
0.27
Total annual fund operating
expenses
0.81
1.55
1.21
0.48
0.55
0.58
Fee waiver/expense reim-
bursement
0.00
0.00
0.09
0.00
0.00
0.00
Total annual fund operating
expenses after fee waiver/
expense reimbursement
0.81
1.55
1.12
0.48
0.55
0.58
1Investments of $250,000 or more may be eligible to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (load), but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.50% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date.
The Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at a ratio no higher than 1.12% for Class R. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in 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 of 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 (including one year of capped expenses in each period for Class R) remain the same. Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Example for Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See “Class C Shares” in the “Choosing a Share
Prospectus February 1, 2023 1 DWS GNMA Fund

Class” section of the prospectus for more information. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Years
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
1
$355
$258
$114
$49
$56
$59
3
527
490
375
154
176
186
5
712
845
656
269
307
324
10
1,249
1,646
1,458
604
689
726
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Years
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
1
$355
$158
$114
$49
$56
$59
3
527
490
375
154
176
186
5
712
845
656
269
307
324
10
1,249
1,646
1,458
604
689
726
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may mean higher taxes if you are investing in a taxable account. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, and can affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 532% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in “Ginnie Maes,” which are mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). For purposes of the fund's 80% investment policy, investments in “Ginnie Maes” include investments in collateralized mortgage obligations collateralized by a pool of mortgage backed securities guaranteed by GNMA. The fund may also purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, including US government agency mortgage-backed to-be-announced securities (TBAs). A forward commitment transaction is an agreement by the fund to purchase or sell securities at a specified future date. The fund may sell the forward commitment securities before the settlement date or enter into new commitments to extend the delivery date into the future.
The balance of the fund’s assets, among other permitted investments, may be invested in asset-backed securities or commercial mortgage-backed securities, or securities issued by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities may not be guaranteed by the US
Treasury or backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. The fund may also hold up to 10% of its total net assets in uninvested cash, cash equivalents (such as money market securities), repurchase agreements or shares of money market funds or short-term bond funds, which investments may not be issued or guaranteed by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of varying maturities, the fund's dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 9.37 years.
Management process. In deciding which types of securities to buy and sell, portfolio management first considers the relative attractiveness of Ginnie Maes compared to other eligible securities and decides on allocations. The decisions are generally based on a number of factors, including changes in supply and demand within the bond market and prepayment rates of individual bonds.
In choosing individual bonds, portfolio management reviews each bond’s fundamentals, compares the yields of bonds and uses detailed analysis to project prepayment rates and other factors that could affect a bond’s attractiveness. Portfolio management may also adjust the duration (a measure of sensitivity to interest rate movements) of the fund’s portfolio, based upon their analysis.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use interest rate futures contracts or interest rate swaps, which are types of derivatives (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) for duration management (i.e., reducing or increasing the sensitivity of the fund’s portfolio to interest rate changes) or to enhance returns. In addition, portfolio management generally may use (i) options on GNMA TBAs or total return swaps to seek to enhance potential gains; and (ii) options on interest rate futures or on interest rates to hedge against potential adverse interest rate movements.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Active trading. The fund may trade securities actively and this may lead to high portfolio turnover.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not
Prospectus February 1, 2023
2
DWS GNMA Fund

intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities risk. These securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets such as consumer loans or receivables held in trust and often involve risks that are different from or possibly more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time, however, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective duration of these securities and may expose the fund to a lower rate of return on reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities not backed by a government guarantee may be subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan.
Investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war,
terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
3
DWS GNMA Fund

This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields.
When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation.
Because of the rising US government debt burden, it is possible that the US government may not be able to meet its financial obligations or that securities issued by the US government may experience credit downgrades. Such a credit event may also adversely impact the financial markets and the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
To the extent portfolio management seeks to identify interest rate trends using derivatives, the risk of loss may be heightened during periods of rapid changes in interest rates.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
4
DWS GNMA Fund

Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of the fund’s investments and the fund’s share price. The value of currencies are influenced by a variety of factors, that include: interest rates, national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, global energy prices, political instability and government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the US dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably, thereby impacting the value of the fund’s investments.
Forward commitment risk. When a fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions (e.g., TBAs), the fund relies on the counterparty to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Such transactions may also have the effect of leverage on the fund and may cause the fund to be more volatile. Additionally, these transactions may create a higher portfolio turnover rate.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund
and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Active trading risk. Active securities trading could raise transaction costs (thus lowering returns) and could mean increased taxable distributions to shareholders and distributions that will be taxable to shareholders at higher federal income tax rates.
Past Performance
How a fund's returns vary from year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index).Past performance may not indicate future results. All performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
5
DWS GNMA Fund

CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS (%) (Class A)
These year-by-year returns do not include sales charges, if any, and would be lower if they did. Returns for other classes were different and are not shown here.
 
Returns
Period ending
Best Quarter
2.24%
June 30, 2014
Worst Quarter
-5.83%
September 30, 2022
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended 12/31/2022 expressed as a %)
After-tax returns (which are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes) reflect the historical highest individual federal income tax rates, but do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
10
Years
Class A before tax
2/2/2009
-14.45
-1.50
-0.42
After tax on distribu-
tions
 
-15.00
-2.29
-1.46
After tax on distribu-
tions and sale of fund
shares
 
-8.55
-1.43
-0.73
Class C before tax
2/2/2009
-12.66
-1.73
-0.91
Class R before tax
5/1/2012
-12.26
-1.28
-0.47
INST Class before tax
2/2/2009
-11.75
-0.69
0.12
Class S before tax
7/14/2000
-11.82
-0.72
0.10
Bloomberg GNMA
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-10.76
-0.50
0.59
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
Since
Inception
Class R6 before tax
2/2/2015
-11.66
-0.63
-0.01
Bloomberg GNMA
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-10.76
-0.50
0.23
Management
Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
Portfolio Manager(s)
Gregory M. Staples, CFA, Regional Head of Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Thomas J. Sweeney, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Hyun Lee, CFA, Lead Portfolio Manager Real Estate. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
Non-IRA
IRAs
UGMAs/
UTMAs
Automatic
Investment
Plans
A C
1,000
500
1,000
500
R
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
R6
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
INST
1,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
S
2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares and Class R6 shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see “Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class, Class R and Class R6 shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.
To Place Orders
Mail
All Requests
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Expedited Mail
DWS
430 West 7th Street
Suite 219151
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Web Site
dws.com
Telephone
(800) 728-3337, M – F 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Hearing Impaired
For hearing impaired assistance, please
call us using a relay service
The fund is generally open on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. If you invest with the fund directly through the transfer agent, you can open a new fund account (Class S shares only) and make an initial investment on the Internet at dws.com, by using the mobile app or by mail. You can make additional investments or sell shares of the fund on any business day by
Prospectus February 1, 2023
6
DWS GNMA Fund

visiting the fund’s Web site, by using the mobile app, by mail, or by telephone; however you may have to elect certain privileges on your initial account application. The ability to open new fund accounts and to transact online or using the mobile app varies depending on share class and account type. If you are working with a financial representative, contact your financial representative for assistance with buying or selling fund shares. A financial representative separately may impose its own policies and procedures for buying and selling fund shares.
Class R shares are generally available only to certain retirement plans, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Class R6 shares are generally available only to certain qualifying plans and programs, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Institutional Class shares are generally available only to qualified institutions. Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund’s transfer agent.
Tax Information
The fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. Any withdrawals you make from such tax- advantaged investment plans, however, may be taxable to you.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund, the Advisor, and/or the Advisor’s affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
No such payments are made with respect to Class R6 shares. To the extent the fund makes such payments with respect to another class of its shares, the expense is borne by the other share class.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
7
DWS GNMA Fund


DWS High Income Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks the highest level of current income obtainable from a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities which portfolio management considers consistent with reasonable risk. As a secondary objective, the fund will seek capital gain where consistent with its primary objective.
Fees and Expenses
These are the fees and expenses you may pay when you buy, hold and sell shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A shares if you and your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in DWS funds. More information about these and other discounts and waivers is available from your financial representative and in Choosing a Share Class (p.58), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries (Appendix B, p. 112) and Purchase and Redemption of Shares in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (p. II-15).
SHAREHOLDER FEES (paid directly from your investment)
 
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
Maximum sales charge (load)
imposed on purchases, as %
of offering price
4.50
None
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales
charge (load), as % of
redemption proceeds1
None
1.00
None
None
None
None
Account Maintenance Fee
(annually, for fund account
balances below $10,000 and
subject to certain exceptions)
$20
$20
None
None
None
$20
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
 
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
Management fee
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.46
0.46
Distribution/service (12b-1)
fees
0.23
1.00
0.50
None
None
None
Other expenses
0.27
0.30
0.42
0.20
0.25
0.32
Total annual fund operating
expenses
0.96
1.76
1.38
0.66
0.71
0.78
Fee waiver/expense reim-
bursement
0.00
0.01
0.13
0.00
0.00
0.03
Total annual fund operating
expenses after fee waiver/
expense reimbursement
0.96
1.75
1.25
0.66
0.71
0.75
1Investments of $1,000,000 or more may be eligible to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (load), but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.85% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date and 0.50% if redeemed within the following six months.
The Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 1.75%, 1.25% and 0.75% for Class C, Class R and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in 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 of 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 (including one year of capped expenses in each period for Class C, Class R and Class S) remain the same. Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Example for
Prospectus February 1, 2023 8 DWS High Income Fund

Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See “Class C Shares” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus for more information. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Years
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
1
$544
$278
$127
$67
$73
$77
3
742
553
424
211
227
246
5
957
953
743
368
395
430
10
1,575
1,861
1,646
822
883
963
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Years
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
1
$544
$178
$127
$67
$73
$77
3
742
553
424
211
227
246
5
957
953
743
368
395
430
10
1,575
1,861
1,646
822
883
963
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may mean higher taxes if you are investing in a taxable account. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, and can affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 37% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal circumstances, the fund generally invests at least 65% of net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in junk bonds, which are those rated below the fourth highest credit rating category (that is, grade BB/Ba and below) or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of similar quality. Compared to investment-grade debt securities, junk bonds generally pay higher yields, have higher volatility and higher risk of default on payments of interest and principal. The fund may invest up to 50% of total assets in bonds denominated in US dollars or foreign currencies from foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets. The fund invests in securities of varying maturities and intends to maintain a dollar-weighted effective average portfolio maturity that will not exceed ten years. Subject to its portfolio maturity policy, the fund may purchase individual securities with any stated maturity. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of
varying maturities, the fund's dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 4.91 years.
Management process. Portfolio management focuses on cash flow and total return analysis, and broad diversification among countries, sectors, industries and individual issuers and maturities. Portfolio management uses an active process that emphasizes relative value, managing on a total return basis, and intensive research to identify stable to improving credit situations that may provide yield compensation for the risk of investing in junk bonds.
Portfolio management utilizes primarily a bottom-up approach, where relative value and fundamental analysis are used to select securities within each industry, and a top-down approach to assess the overall risk and return in the market, including macroeconomic trends. Portfolio management also incorporates other considerations that it believes to be financially material, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, independent credit research, management visits and conference calls, as part of its analysis and research process.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use credit default swaps, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) to seek to increase the fund’s income, to gain exposure to a bond issuer’s credit quality characteristics without directly investing in the bond, or to hedge the risk of default on bonds held in the fund’s portfolio. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings or to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
9
DWS High Income Fund

Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund
is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part
Prospectus February 1, 2023
10
DWS High Income Fund

of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Market risk. The market value of the securities in which the fund invests may be impacted by the prospects of individual issuers, particular sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions throughout the world due to increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation
or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section
Prospectus February 1, 2023
11
DWS High Income Fund

and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Past Performance
How a fund's returns vary from year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index).Past performance may not indicate future results. All performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more
Prospectus February 1, 2023
12
DWS High Income Fund

recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS (%) (Class A)
These year-by-year returns do not include sales charges, if any, and would be lower if they did. Returns for other classes were different and are not shown here.
 
Returns
Period ending
Best Quarter
8.72%
June 30, 2020
Worst Quarter
-11.81%
March 31, 2020
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended 12/31/2022 expressed as a %)
After-tax returns (which are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes) reflect the historical highest individual federal income tax rates, but do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
10
Years
Class A before tax
1/26/1978
-13.24
1.33
3.12
After tax on distribu-
tions
 
-15.03
-0.69
0.91
After tax on distribu-
tions and sale of fund
shares
 
-7.82
0.18
1.42
Class C before tax
5/31/1994
-9.66
1.47
2.79
Class R before tax
5/1/2012
-9.44
1.93
3.23
INST Class before tax
8/19/2002
-8.92
2.51
3.84
Class S before tax
5/1/2012
-8.76
2.50
3.78
ICE BofA US High Yield
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-11.21
2.10
3.94
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
Since
Inception
Class R6 before tax
8/25/2014
-8.87
2.51
3.06
ICE BofA US High Yield
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-11.21
2.10
3.17
Management
Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
Portfolio Manager(s)
Gary Russell, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2006.
Thomas R. Bouchard, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2018.
Sarah Rowin, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
Non-IRA
IRAs
UGMAs/
UTMAs
Automatic
Investment
Plans
A C
1,000
500
1,000
500
R
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
R6
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
INST
1,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
S
2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares and Class R6 shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see “Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class, Class R and Class R6 shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.
To Place Orders
Mail
All Requests
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Expedited Mail
DWS
430 West 7th Street
Suite 219151
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Web Site
dws.com
Telephone
(800) 728-3337, M – F 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Hearing Impaired
For hearing impaired assistance, please
call us using a relay service
Prospectus February 1, 2023
13
DWS High Income Fund

The fund is generally open on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. If you invest with the fund directly through the transfer agent, you can open a new fund account (Class S shares only) and make an initial investment on the Internet at dws.com, by using the mobile app or by mail. You can make additional investments or sell shares of the fund on any business day by visiting the fund’s Web site, by using the mobile app, by mail, or by telephone; however you may have to elect certain privileges on your initial account application. The ability to open new fund accounts and to transact online or using the mobile app varies depending on share class and account type. If you are working with a financial representative, contact your financial representative for assistance with buying or selling fund shares. A financial representative separately may impose its own policies and procedures for buying and selling fund shares.
Class R shares are generally available only to certain retirement plans, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Class R6 shares are generally available only to certain qualifying plans and programs, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Institutional Class shares are generally available only to qualified institutions. Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund’s transfer agent.
Tax Information
The fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. Any withdrawals you make from such tax- advantaged investment plans, however, may be taxable to you.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund, the Advisor, and/or the Advisor’s affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
No such payments are made with respect to Class R6 shares. To the extent the fund makes such payments with respect to another class of its shares, the expense is borne by the other share class.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
14
DWS High Income Fund


DWS Global High Income Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks high current income and, as a secondary objective, capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
These are the fees and expenses you may pay when you buy, hold and sell shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A shares if you and your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in DWS funds. More information about these and other discounts and waivers is available from your financial representative and in Choosing a Share Class (p.58), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries (Appendix B, p. 112) and Purchase and Redemption of Shares in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (p. II-15).
SHAREHOLDER FEES (paid directly from your investment)
 
A
C
R6
INST
S
Maximum sales charge (load)
imposed on purchases, as % of
offering price
4.50
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge
(load), as % of redemption
proceeds1
None
1.00
None
None
None
Account Maintenance Fee (annually,
for fund account balances below
$10,000 and subject to certain
exceptions)
$20
$20
None
None
$20
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
 
A
C
R6
INST
S
Management fee
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.40
0.40
Distribution/service (12b-1) fees
0.25
1.00
None
None
None
Other expenses
0.29
0.27
0.18
0.27
0.34
Total annual fund operating
expenses
0.94
1.67
0.58
0.67
0.74
Fee waiver/expense reimbursement
0.09
0.07
0.03
0.07
0.09
Total annual fund operating
expenses after fee waiver/expense
reimbursement
0.85
1.60
0.55
0.60
0.65
1Investments of $1,000,000 or more may be eligible to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (load), but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.85% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date and 0.50% if redeemed within the following six months.
The Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 0.85%, 1.60%, 0.55%, 0.60% and 0.65% for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in 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 of 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 (including one year of capped expenses in each period) remain the same. Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Example for Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See
Prospectus February 1, 2023 15 DWS Global High Income Fund

“Class C Shares” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus for more information. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Years
A
C
R6
INST
S
1
$533
$263
$56
$61
$66
3
728
520
183
207
227
5
938
901
321
366
403
10
1,545
1,776
723
828
910
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Years
A
C
R6
INST
S
1
$533
$163
$56
$61
$66
3
728
520
183
207
227
5
938
901
321
366
403
10
1,545
1,776
723
828
910
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may mean higher taxes if you are investing in a taxable account. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, and can affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal conditions, the fund invests at least 65% of total assets in domestic and foreign below investment grade debt securities (rated below the fourth highest credit rating category, junk bonds), including those whose issuers are located in countries with new or emerging securities markets. The fund will generally invest in at least three different countries and will normally invest at least 40% of net assets in securities of foreign issuers. The fund invests in securities of varying maturities and intends to maintain a dollar-weighted effective average portfolio maturity (the weighted average of the maturity dates of bonds held by the fund) that will not exceed ten years. Subject to its portfolio maturity policy, the fund may purchase individual securities with any stated maturity. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of varying maturities, the fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 5.04 years.
The fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, and may include debt securities not paying interest currently and securities in default. The fund may invest up to 15% of
total assets in credit default swaps to buy or sell protection on credit exposure, and up to 20% of net assets in common stocks, preferred shares and other equity securities. The fund may invest up to 35% of total assets in cash or money market instruments to maintain liquidity or in the event portfolio management determines that securities meeting the fund’s investment objectives are not readily available for purchase. The fund may also purchase convertible securities, securities on a when-issued basis and engage in short sales.
Management process. Portfolio management focuses on cash flow and total return analysis, and broad diversification among countries, sectors, industries and individual issuers and maturities. Portfolio management uses an active process that emphasizes relative value, managing on a total return basis, and intensive research to identify stable to improving credit situations that may provide yield compensation for the risk of investing in junk bonds.
Portfolio management utilizes primarily a bottom-up approach, where relative value and fundamental analysis are used to select securities within each industry, and a top-down approach to assess the overall risk and return in the market, including macroeconomic trends. Portfolio management also incorporates other considerations that it believes to be financially material, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, independent credit research, management visits and conference calls, as part of its analysis and research process.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use credit default swaps, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) to seek to increase the fund’s income, to gain exposure to a bond issuer’s credit quality characteristics without directly investing in the bond, or to hedge the risk of default on bonds held in the fund’s portfolio. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings or to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund
Prospectus February 1, 2023
16
DWS Global High Income Fund

may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary
policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic
Prospectus February 1, 2023
17
DWS Global High Income Fund

and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Convertible securities risk. The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, when interest rates rise, the price of a convertible security generally declines. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their price may change based on changes in the issuer’s financial condition. Because a convertible security derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock could impact the price of the convertible security.
Currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of the fund’s investments and the fund’s share price. The value of currencies are influenced by a variety of factors, that include: interest rates, national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, global energy prices, political instability and government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the US dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably, thereby impacting the value of the fund’s investments.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
18
DWS Global High Income Fund

Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Stock market risk. When stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your investment to fall as well. Stock prices can be hurt by poor management on the part of the stock’s issuer, shrinking product demand and other business risks. These may affect single companies as well as groups of companies. The market as a whole may not favor the types of investments the fund makes, which could adversely affect a stock’s price, regardless of how well the company performs, or the fund’s ability to sell a stock at an attractive price. There is a chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. Events in the US and global financial markets, including actions taken by the US Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times result in unusually high market volatility which could negatively affect performance. High market volatility may also result from significant shifts in momentum of one or more specific stocks due to unusual increases or decreases in trading activity. Momentum can change quickly, and securities subject to shifts in momentum may be more volatile than the market as a whole and returns on such securities may drop precipitously. To the extent that the fund invests in a particular geographic region, capitalization or sector, the fund’s performance may be affected by the general performance of that region, capitalization or sector.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products
or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
19
DWS Global High Income Fund

Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Past Performance
How a fund's returns vary from year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index).Past performance may not indicate future results. All performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more
recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS (%) (Class A)
These year-by-year returns do not include sales charges, if any, and would be lower if they did. Returns for other classes were different and are not shown here.
 
Returns
Period ending
Best Quarter
8.40%
June 30, 2020
Worst Quarter
-11.93%
March 31, 2020
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended 12/31/2022 expressed as a %)
After-tax returns (which are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes) reflect the historical highest individual federal income tax rates, but do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
10
Years
Class A before tax
5/13/2005
-14.42
0.98
3.09
After tax on distribu-
tions
 
-16.79
-1.22
0.70
After tax on distribu-
tions and sale of fund
shares
 
-8.73
-0.20
1.29
Class C before tax
5/13/2005
-11.11
1.15
2.80
INST Class before tax
3/16/1998
-10.17
2.18
3.87
Class S before tax
5/13/2005
-10.23
2.11
3.80
ICE Bank of America
Non-Financial Devel-
oped Markets High Yield
Constrained (Hedged )
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-10.69
2.06
4.00
Prospectus February 1, 2023
20
DWS Global High Income Fund

 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
Since
Inception
Class R6 before tax
11/1/2016
-10.12
2.22
3.27
ICE Bank of America
Non-Financial Devel-
oped Markets High Yield
Constrained (Hedged )
Index (reflects no deduc-
tion for fees, expenses
or taxes)
 
-10.69
2.06
3.13
Management
Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
Portfolio Manager(s)
Gary Russell, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2006.
Thomas R. Bouchard, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2018.
Sarah Rowin, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
Non-IRA
IRAs
UGMAs/
UTMAs
Automatic
Investment
Plans
A C
1,000
500
1,000
500
R6
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
INST
1,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
S
2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares and Class R6 shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see “Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class and Class R6 shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.
To Place Orders
Mail
All Requests
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Expedited Mail
DWS
430 West 7th Street
Suite 219151
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Web Site
dws.com
Telephone
(800) 728-3337, M – F 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Hearing Impaired
For hearing impaired assistance, please
call us using a relay service
The fund is generally open on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. If you invest with the fund directly through the transfer agent, you can open a new fund account (Class S shares only) and make an initial investment on the Internet at dws.com, by using the mobile app or by mail. You can make additional investments or sell shares of the fund on any business day by visiting the fund’s Web site, by using the mobile app, by mail, or by telephone; however you may have to elect certain privileges on your initial account application. The ability to open new fund accounts and to transact online or using the mobile app varies depending on share class and account type. If you are working with a financial representative, contact your financial representative for assistance with buying or selling fund shares. A financial representative separately may impose its own policies and procedures for buying and selling fund shares.
Class R6 shares are generally available only to certain qualifying plans and programs, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Institutional Class shares are generally available only to qualified institutions. Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund’s transfer agent.
Tax Information
The fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. Any withdrawals you make from such tax- advantaged investment plans, however, may be taxable to you.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund, the Advisor, and/or the Advisor’s affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and
Prospectus February 1, 2023
21
DWS Global High Income Fund

your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
No such payments are made with respect to Class R6 shares. To the extent the fund makes such payments with respect to another class of its shares, the expense is borne by the other share class.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
22
DWS Global High Income Fund


DWS Short Duration Fund
Investment Objective
The fund’s investment objective is to provide high income while also seeking to maintain a high degree of stability of shareholders’ capital.
Fees and Expenses
These are the fees and expenses you may pay when you buy, hold and sell shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A shares if you and your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in DWS funds. More information about these and other discounts and waivers is available from your financial representative and in Choosing a Share Class (p.58), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries (Appendix B, p. 112) and Purchase and Redemption of Shares in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (p. II-15).
SHAREHOLDER FEES (paid directly from your investment)
 
A
C
R6
INST
S
Maximum sales charge (load)
imposed on purchases, as % of
offering price
2.25
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge
(load), as % of redemption
proceeds1
None
1.00
None
None
None
Account Maintenance Fee (annually,
for fund account balances below
$10,000 and subject to certain
exceptions)
$20
$20
None
None
$20
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
 
A
C
R6
INST
S
Management fee
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.37
0.37
Distribution/service (12b-1) fees
0.25
1.00
None
None
None
Other expenses
0.23
0.24
0.14
0.23
0.31
Total annual fund operating
expenses
0.85
1.61
0.51
0.60
0.68
Fee waiver/expense reimbursement
0.10
0.11
0.13
0.22
0.18
Total annual fund operating
expenses after fee waiver/expense
reimbursement
0.75
1.50
0.38
0.38
0.50
1Investments of $250,000 or more may be eligible to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (load), but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.75% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date.
The Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 0.75%, 1.50%, 0.38%, 0.38% and 0.50% for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in 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 of 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 (including one year of capped expenses in each period) remain the same. Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Example for Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See “Class C Shares” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section
Prospectus February 1, 2023 23 DWS Short Duration Fund

of the prospectus for more information. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Years
A
C
R6
INST
S
1
$300
$253
$39
$39
$51
3
480
497
150
170
199
5
676
866
272
313
361
10
1,241
1,698
628
729
830
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Years
A
C
R6
INST
S
1
$300
$153
$39
$39
$51
3
480
497
150
170
199
5
676
866
272
313
361
10
1,241
1,698
628
729
830
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may mean higher taxes if you are investing in a taxable account. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, and can affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, within the top four credit rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a “NRSRO”) (or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality). The fund may invest in securities of varying maturities. The fund normally seeks to maintain an average portfolio duration (a measure of sensitivity to interest rate movements) of no longer than three years by investing in fixed income securities with short-to intermediate-term maturities.
The fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in below investment-grade fixed income securities (“junk bonds”) of domestic and foreign issuers which are rated in the fifth and sixth highest credit rating categories by the three major NRSROs (Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group) or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality, including those whose issuers are located in countries with new or emerging securities markets. Compared to investment-grade debt
securities, junk bonds generally pay higher yields, have higher volatility and higher risk of default on payments of interest or principal.
Fixed income securities in which the fund may invest include US government securities or obligations that are issued or guaranteed by the US Treasury or by agencies or instrumentalities of the US government; obligations backed by such US government securities; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of domestic or foreign corporations, including adjustable rate loans that have a senior right to payment (“senior loans”) and other floating rate debt instruments; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments or supranational entities; US dollar-denominated asset-backed securities issued by domestic or foreign entities; non-US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign corporations, foreign governments or supranational entities; mortgage pass-through securities issued by governmental and non-governmental issuers; collateralized mortgage obligations, real estate mortgage investment conduits and commercial mortgage-backed securities; collateralized loan obligations; short-term investments, including money market mutual funds. Portfolio management seeks diversified exposure to higher yielding mortgage, corporate and asset-backed sectors of the investment-grade fixed income markets. Senior loans may have longer trade settlement periods than other types of investments.
The fund invests in short-term investments to meet shareholder withdrawals and other liquidity needs. Short-term investments will be rated at the time of purchase within one of the top two short-term rating categories by a NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the fund’s investment advisor to be of similar quality.
The fund may also invest in Rule 144A securities, securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities), repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Transactions involving securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities) that have settlement dates greater than 35 days and transactions in reverse repurchase agreements are treated as derivatives by the fund and are subject to the fund's policies and procedures with respect to derivatives. Transactions with settlement dates greater than 35 days generally are used for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
Management process. Portfolio management uses a top-down and bottom-up approach, first focusing on sector allocations, then using relative value analysis to select the best securities within each sector. When selecting securities, portfolio management analyzes such factors as credit quality, interest rate sensitivity and spread relationships between individual bonds. Portfolio management may also consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors that it believes to be financially material.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
24
DWS Short Duration Fund

Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use futures contracts, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities), for duration management (i.e., reducing or increasing the sensitivity of the fund's portfolio to interest rate changes) or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge the fund's exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings, to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the effective duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the fund, which may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Senior loans typically have adjustable interest rates. However, because floating rates on senior loans only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates may cause a fluctuation in the fund’s value. In addition, extreme increases in prevailing
interest rates may cause an increase in senior loan defaults, which may cause a further decline in the fund’s value. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates could adversely affect the income earned by the fund from senior loans. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
25
DWS Short Duration Fund

Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable
to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities risk. These securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets such as consumer loans or receivables held in trust and often involve risks that are different from or possibly more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time, however, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective duration of these securities and may expose the fund to a lower rate of return on reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities not backed by a government guarantee may be subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan.
Investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) are asset-backed securities whose underlying assets consist of a “pool” of loans issued in classes or “tranches” that may vary in risk and yield. CLOs may experience substantial losses due to defaults on underlying assets, which will be borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. Investments in CLOs may decrease in value when the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class and such risks may be magnified depending on the tranche of CLO securities in which the fund invests.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
26
DWS Short Duration Fund

Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Senior loans risk. The fund invests in senior loans that may not be rated by a rating agency, registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any national securities exchange. Therefore, there may be less publicly available information about them than for registered or exchange-listed securities. The Advisor relies on its own evaluation of the creditworthiness of borrowers, but will consider, and may rely in part on, analyses performed by others. As a result, the fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Advisor.
Senior loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud and misrepresentation protections of the federal securities laws. Senior loans involve other risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and prepayment and extension risk.
Because affiliates of the Advisor may participate in the primary and secondary market for senior loans, limitations under applicable law may restrict the fund’s ability to participate in a restructuring of a senior loan or to acquire some senior loans, or affect the timing or price of such acquisition. The fund also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a senior loan. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a publicly-traded security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. If the Advisor wishes to invest in the publicly traded securities of a borrower, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the borrower to which other lenders have access.
Forward commitment risk. When a fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions (e.g., TBAs), the fund relies on the counterparty to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Such transactions
Prospectus February 1, 2023
27
DWS Short Duration Fund

may also have the effect of leverage on the fund and may cause the fund to be more volatile. Additionally, these transactions may create a higher portfolio turnover rate.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
28
DWS Short Duration Fund

Past Performance
How a fund's returns vary from year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index).Past performance may not indicate future results. All performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS (%) (Class A)
These year-by-year returns do not include sales charges, if any, and would be lower if they did. Returns for other classes were different and are not shown here.
 
Returns
Period ending
Best Quarter
5.47%
June 30, 2020
Worst Quarter
-4.01%
March 31, 2020
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended 12/31/2022 expressed as a %)
After-tax returns (which are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes) reflect the historical highest individual federal income tax rates, but do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
10
Years
Class A before tax*
12/2/2002
-6.58
0.74
0.91
After tax on distribu-
tions
 
-7.52
-1.01
-1.10
After tax on distribu-
tions and sale of fund
shares
 
-4.04
-0.62
-0.74
Class C before tax
2/3/2003
-5.20
0.40
0.38
INST Class before tax
8/26/2008
-4.22
1.45
1.40
Class S before tax
12/23/1998
-4.17
1.44
1.40
Bloomberg 1-3
Year Government/
Credit® Index (reflects
no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes)
 
-3.69
0.92
0.88
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
Since
Inception
Class R6 before tax
8/25/2014
-4.22
1.46
1.33
Bloomberg 1-3
Year Government/
Credit® Index (reflects
no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes)
 
-3.69
0.92
0.91
*Performance data for Class A is calculated based on the current maximum sales load of 2.25%. From February 11, 2019 until July 14, 2020 the sales load was 0.00%. Prior to February 11, 2019 the sales load was 2.75%
Management
Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
Portfolio Manager(s)
Thomas J. Sweeney, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.
Jeff Morton, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2022.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
Non-IRA
IRAs
UGMAs/
UTMAs
Automatic
Investment
Plans
A C
1,000
500
1,000
500
R6
None
N/A
N/A
N/A
INST
1,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
S
2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares and Class R6 shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see “Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class and Class R6 shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
29
DWS Short Duration Fund

To Place Orders
Mail
All Requests
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Expedited Mail
DWS
430 West 7th Street
Suite 219151
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Web Site
dws.com
Telephone
(800) 728-3337, M – F 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Hearing Impaired
For hearing impaired assistance, please
call us using a relay service
The fund is generally open on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. If you invest with the fund directly through the transfer agent, you can open a new fund account (Class S shares only) and make an initial investment on the Internet at dws.com, by using the mobile app or by mail. You can make additional investments or sell shares of the fund on any business day by visiting the fund’s Web site, by using the mobile app, by mail, or by telephone; however you may have to elect certain privileges on your initial account application. The ability to open new fund accounts and to transact online or using the mobile app varies depending on share class and account type. If you are working with a financial representative, contact your financial representative for assistance with buying or selling fund shares. A financial representative separately may impose its own policies and procedures for buying and selling fund shares.
Class R6 shares are generally available only to certain qualifying plans and programs, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Institutional Class shares are generally available only to qualified institutions. Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund’s transfer agent.
Tax Information
The fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. Any withdrawals you make from such tax- advantaged investment plans, however, may be taxable to you.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund, the Advisor, and/or the Advisor’s affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and
your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
No such payments are made with respect to Class R6 shares. To the extent the fund makes such payments with respect to another class of its shares, the expense is borne by the other share class.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
30
DWS Short Duration Fund

Fund Details
Additional Information About Fund Strategies and Risks
DWS GNMA Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks to produce a high level of income.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in “Ginnie Maes,” which are mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). For purposes of the fund's 80% investment policy, investments in “Ginnie Maes” include investments in collateralized mortgage obligations collateralized by a pool of mortgage backed securities guaranteed by GNMA. The fund may also purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, including US government agency mortgage-backed to-be-announced securities (TBAs). A forward commitment transaction is an agreement by the fund to purchase or sell securities at a specified future date. The fund may sell the forward commitment securities before the settlement date or enter into new commitments to extend the delivery date into the future.
The balance of the fund’s assets, among other permitted investments, may be invested in asset-backed securities or commercial mortgage-backed securities, or securities issued by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities may not be guaranteed by the US Treasury or backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. The fund may also hold up to 10% of its total net assets in uninvested cash, cash equivalents (such as money market securities), repurchase agreements or shares of money market funds or short-term bond funds, which investments may not be issued or guaranteed by the US government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of varying maturities, the fund's dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 9.37 years.
In determining the dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity, portfolio management uses a security’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which portfolio management believes it is probable that the security will be repaid pursuant to a maturity-shortening feature of the security. Portfolio management might use a security’s effective maturity where, for example, market conditions favor a buyer exercising a put option (i.e., an option to sell a bond back to the issuer prior to its maturity) or an issuer exercising a call option (i.e., an option to redeem a bond prior to its maturity) or a principal prepayment provision (i.e., a provision allowing an issuer to repay principal before the stated maturity date). A security’s effective maturity can be substantially shorter than its stated maturity.
For the purpose of complying with the 80% test, the fund does not use the notional value of a derivative instrument, but rather, uses the “mark-to-market” value (i.e., the unrealized net gain or loss on an open derivative instrument) of the derivative instrument. The “mark-to-market” value of a derivative instrument will not be treated as an investment in “Ginnie Maes.” By calculating the 80% test on the basis of “mark-to-market” value, rather than the notional value of derivative instruments, the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in such derivative instruments than would otherwise be the case.
Although the fund’s aggregate notional market exposure from derivatives may equal up to 100% of the fund’s assets, the fund normally limits the net notional value of all derivatives instruments, after aggregating the fund’s long and short positions, to 20% of the fund’s net assets.
Management process. In deciding which types of securities to buy and sell, portfolio management first considers the relative attractiveness of Ginnie Maes compared to other eligible securities and decides on allocations. The decisions are generally based on a number of factors, including changes in supply and demand within the bond market and prepayment rates of individual bonds.
In choosing individual bonds, portfolio management reviews each bond’s fundamentals, compares the yields of bonds and uses detailed analysis to project prepayment
Prospectus February 1, 2023 31 Fund Details

rates and other factors that could affect a bond’s attractiveness. Portfolio management may also adjust the duration (a measure of sensitivity to interest rate movements) of the fund’s portfolio, based upon their analysis.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use interest rate futures contracts or interest rate swaps, which are types of derivatives (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) for duration management (i.e., reducing or increasing the sensitivity of the fund’s portfolio to interest rate changes) or to enhance returns. In addition, portfolio management generally may use (i) options on GNMA TBAs or total return swaps to seek to enhance potential gains; and (ii) options on interest rate futures or on interest rates to hedge against potential adverse interest rate movements.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Active trading. The fund may trade securities actively and this may lead to high portfolio turnover.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities risk. These securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets such as consumer loans or receivables held in trust and often involve risks that are different from or possibly more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time, however, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective
duration of these securities and may expose the fund to a lower rate of return on reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities not backed by a government guarantee may be subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan.
Investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
32
Fund Details

Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and
related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation.
Some securities issued by US government agencies or instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Other securities that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality are subject to greater credit risk than securities backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. This is because the US government might provide financial
Prospectus February 1, 2023
33
Fund Details

support, but has no obligation to do so, if there is a potential or actual loss of principal or failure to make interest payments.
Because of the rising US government debt burden, it is possible that the US government may not be able to meet its financial obligations or that securities issued by the US government may experience credit downgrades. Such a credit event may also adversely impact the financial markets and the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
To the extent portfolio management seeks to identify interest rate trends using derivatives, the risk of loss may be heightened during periods of rapid changes in interest rates.
There is no guarantee that derivatives, to the extent employed, will have the intended effect, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. The use of derivatives by the fund to hedge risk may reduce the opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to,
may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
This risk can be ongoing for any security that does not trade actively or in large volumes, for any security that trades primarily on smaller markets, and for investments that typically trade only among a limited number of large investors (such as certain types of derivatives or restricted securities). In unusual market conditions, even normally liquid securities may be affected by a degree of liquidity risk (i.e., if the number and capacity of traditional market participants is reduced). This may affect only certain securities or an overall securities market.
The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. If dealer capacity in fixed-income markets is insufficient for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income markets. Additionally, market participants, other than the fund, may attempt to sell fixed income holdings at the same time as the fund, which could cause downward pricing pressure and contribute to illiquidity.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may prevent the fund from being able to realize full value and thus sell a security for its full valuation. This could cause a material decline in the fund’s net asset value.
Currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of the fund’s investments and the fund’s share price. The value of currencies are influenced by a variety of factors, that include: interest rates, national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation
Prospectus February 1, 2023
34
Fund Details

rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, global energy prices, political instability and government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the US dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably, thereby impacting the value of the fund’s investments.
Forward commitment risk. When a fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions (e.g., TBAs), the fund relies on the counterparty to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Such transactions may also have the effect of leverage on the fund and may cause the fund to be more volatile. Additionally, these transactions may create a higher portfolio turnover rate.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any
cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Cyber-attacks may include unauthorized attempts by third parties to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to the systems of the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants or data within them. In addition, power or communications outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also disrupt business operations or impact critical data.
Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders or cause reputational damage and subject the fund to regulatory fines, litigation costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures involving a fund counterparty could affect such counterparty’s ability to meet its obligations to the fund, which may result in losses to the fund and its shareholders. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present for issuers of securities held by the fund, which could have material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the fund’s investments to lose value. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to accurately price its investments.
For example, the fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. Therefore, the fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on third party service providers and data sources. NAV calculation may be impacted by operational risks arising from factors such as failures in systems and technology. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.
Active trading risk. Active securities trading could raise transaction costs (thus lowering returns) and could mean increased taxable distributions to shareholders and distributions that will be taxable to shareholders at higher federal income tax rates.
DWS High Income Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks the highest level of current income obtainable from a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities which portfolio management considers consistent with
Prospectus February 1, 2023
35
Fund Details

reasonable risk. As a secondary objective, the fund will seek capital gain where consistent with its primary objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal circumstances, the fund generally invests at least 65% of net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in junk bonds, which are those rated below the fourth highest credit rating category (that is, grade BB/Ba and below) or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of similar quality. Compared to investment-grade debt securities, junk bonds generally pay higher yields, have higher volatility and higher risk of default on payments of interest and principal. The fund may invest up to 50% of total assets in bonds denominated in US dollars or foreign currencies from foreign issuers, including issuers in emerging markets. The fund invests in securities of varying maturities and intends to maintain a dollar-weighted effective average portfolio maturity that will not exceed ten years. Subject to its portfolio maturity policy, the fund may purchase individual securities with any stated maturity. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of varying maturities, the fund's dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 4.91 years.
In determining the dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity, portfolio management uses a security’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which portfolio management believes it is probable that the security will be repaid pursuant to a maturity-shortening feature of the security. Portfolio management might use a security’s effective maturity where, for example, market conditions favor a buyer exercising a put option (i.e., an option to sell a bond back to the issuer prior to its maturity) or an issuer exercising a call option (i.e., an option to redeem a bond prior to its maturity) or a principal prepayment provision (i.e., a provision allowing an issuer to repay principal before the stated maturity date). A security’s effective maturity can be substantially shorter than its stated maturity.
If a fixed income security is rated differently among the three major ratings agencies (i.e., Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group), portfolio management would rely on the highest credit rating for purposes of the fund’s investment policies.
Management process. Portfolio management focuses on cash flow and total return analysis, and broad diversification among countries, sectors, industries and individual issuers and maturities. Portfolio management uses an active process that emphasizes relative value, managing on a total return basis, and intensive research to identify stable to improving credit situations that may provide yield compensation for the risk of investing in junk bonds.
Portfolio management utilizes primarily a bottom-up approach, where relative value and fundamental analysis are used to select securities within each industry, and a top-down approach to assess the overall risk and return in the market, including macroeconomic trends. Portfolio management also incorporates other considerations that it believes to be financially material, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, independent credit research, management visits and conference calls, as part of its analysis and research process.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use credit default swaps, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) to seek to increase the fund’s income, to gain exposure to a bond issuer’s credit quality characteristics without directly investing in the bond, or to hedge the risk of default on bonds held in the fund’s portfolio. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings or to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad
Prospectus February 1, 2023
36
Fund Details

news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have
been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests
Prospectus February 1, 2023
37
Fund Details

in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Foreign governments may restrict investment by foreigners, limit withdrawal of trading profit or currency from the country, restrict currency exchange or seize foreign investments. The foreign investments of the fund may also be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are generally higher than those for US investments, and the transactions and custody of foreign assets may involve delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or investments.
Foreign markets can have liquidity risks beyond those typical of US markets. Because foreign exchanges generally are smaller and less liquid than US exchanges, buying and selling foreign investments can be more difficult and costly. Relatively small transactions can sometimes materially affect the price and availability of foreign securities. In certain situations, it may become virtually impossible to sell a foreign investment in an orderly fashion at a price that approaches portfolio management's estimate of its value. For the same reason, it may at times be difficult to value the fund’s foreign investments.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Emerging markets countries typically have economic and political systems that are less developed, and can be expected to be less stable than developed markets. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation.
Applicable regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards may be less rigorous in emerging markets countries and there may be significant differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with emerging markets countries’ accounting standards and practices and those prepared in accordance with international accounting standards. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of an emerging market country’s issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The quality of audits in emerging markets countries may be unreliable. Consequently, the fund may not be provided the same degree of protection or information as would generally apply in developed countries and the fund may be exposed to significant losses.
There is also substantially less publicly available information about emerging market issuers than there is about issuers in developed countries. Therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, and less information may be available to the fund and other investors than would be the case if the fund’s investments were restricted to securities of issuers in developed countries.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Market risk. The market value of the securities in which the fund invests may be impacted by the prospects of individual issuers, particular sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions throughout the world due to increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and
Prospectus February 1, 2023
38
Fund Details

encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the
risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
There is no guarantee that derivatives, to the extent employed, will have the intended effect, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. The use of derivatives by the fund to hedge risk may reduce the opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
This risk can be ongoing for any security that does not trade actively or in large volumes, for any security that trades primarily on smaller markets, and for investments that typically trade only among a limited number of large investors (such as certain types of derivatives or restricted securities). In unusual market conditions, even normally liquid securities may be affected by a degree of liquidity risk (i.e., if the number and capacity of traditional market participants is reduced). This may affect only certain securities or an overall securities market.
The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. If dealer capacity in fixed-income markets is insufficient for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income markets. Additionally, market participants, other than the fund, may attempt to sell fixed income holdings at the same time as the fund, which could cause downward pricing pressure and contribute to illiquidity.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
39
Fund Details

Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may prevent the fund from being able to realize full value and thus sell a security for its full valuation. This could cause a material decline in the fund’s net asset value.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises)
that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Cyber-attacks may include unauthorized attempts by third parties to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to the systems of the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants or data within them. In addition, power or communications outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also disrupt business operations or impact critical data.
Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders or cause reputational damage and subject the fund to regulatory fines, litigation costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures involving a fund counterparty could affect such counterparty’s ability to meet its obligations to the fund, which may result in losses to the fund and its shareholders. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present for issuers of securities held by the fund, which could have material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the fund’s investments to lose value. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to accurately price its investments.
For example, the fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. Therefore, the fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on third party service providers and data sources. NAV calculation may be impacted by operational risks arising from factors such as failures in systems and technology. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.
DWS Global High Income Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks high current income and, as a secondary objective, capital appreciation.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
40
Fund Details

Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal conditions, the fund invests at least 65% of total assets in domestic and foreign below investment grade debt securities (rated below the fourth highest credit rating category, junk bonds), including those whose issuers are located in countries with new or emerging securities markets. The fund will generally invest in at least three different countries and will normally invest at least 40% of net assets in securities of foreign issuers. The fund invests in securities of varying maturities and intends to maintain a dollar-weighted effective average portfolio maturity (the weighted average of the maturity dates of bonds held by the fund) that will not exceed ten years. Subject to its portfolio maturity policy, the fund may purchase individual securities with any stated maturity. Because the fund may invest in fixed income securities of varying maturities, the fund’s dollar-weighted average effective maturity will vary. As of December 31, 2022, the fund had a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity of 5.04 years.
The fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, and may include debt securities not paying interest currently and securities in default. The fund may invest up to 15% of total assets in credit default swaps to buy or sell protection on credit exposure, and up to 20% of net assets in common stocks, preferred shares and other equity securities. The fund may invest up to 35% of total assets in cash or money market instruments to maintain liquidity or in the event portfolio management determines that securities meeting the fund’s investment objectives are not readily available for purchase. The fund may also purchase convertible securities, securities on a when-issued basis and engage in short sales.
If a fixed income security is rated differently among the three major ratings agencies (i.e., Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group), portfolio management would rely on the highest credit rating for purposes of the fund’s investment policies.
In determining the dollar-weighted average effective portfolio maturity, portfolio management uses a security’s stated maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which portfolio management believes it is probable that the security will be repaid pursuant to a maturity-shortening feature of the security. Portfolio management might use a security’s effective maturity where, for example, market conditions favor a buyer exercising a put option (i.e., an option to sell a bond back to the issuer prior to its maturity) or an issuer exercising a call option (i.e., an option to redeem a bond prior to its maturity) or a principal prepayment provision (i.e., a provision allowing an issuer to repay principal before the stated maturity date). A security’s effective maturity can be substantially shorter than its stated maturity.
Management process. Portfolio management focuses on cash flow and total return analysis, and broad diversification among countries, sectors, industries and individual issuers and maturities. Portfolio management uses an active process that emphasizes relative value, managing on a total return basis, and intensive research to identify stable to improving credit situations that may provide yield compensation for the risk of investing in junk bonds.
Portfolio management utilizes primarily a bottom-up approach, where relative value and fundamental analysis are used to select securities within each industry, and a top-down approach to assess the overall risk and return in the market, including macroeconomic trends. Portfolio management also incorporates other considerations that it believes to be financially material, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, independent credit research, management visits and conference calls, as part of its analysis and research process.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use credit default swaps, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities) to seek to increase the fund’s income, to gain exposure to a bond issuer’s credit quality characteristics without directly investing in the bond, or to hedge the risk of default on bonds held in the fund’s portfolio. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings or to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely
Prospectus February 1, 2023
41
Fund Details

payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments — and therefore its share price as well — to
decline. A rising interest rate environment may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities and related markets on a large scale, which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of such securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Increased redemptions from the fund may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. A sharp rise in interest rates could cause the value of the fund’s investments to decline.
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international
Prospectus February 1, 2023
42
Fund Details

agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Foreign governments may restrict investment by foreigners, limit withdrawal of trading profit or currency from the country, restrict currency exchange or seize foreign investments. The foreign investments of the fund may also be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are generally higher than those for US investments, and the transactions and custody of foreign assets may involve delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or investments.
Foreign markets can have liquidity risks beyond those typical of US markets. Because foreign exchanges generally are smaller and less liquid than US exchanges, buying and selling foreign investments can be more difficult and costly. Relatively small transactions can sometimes materially affect the price and availability of foreign securities. In certain situations, it may become virtually impossible to sell a foreign investment in an orderly fashion at a price that approaches portfolio management's estimate of its value. For the same reason, it may at times be difficult to value the fund’s foreign investments.
Convertible securities risk. The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, when interest rates rise, the price of a convertible security generally declines. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their price may change based on changes in the issuer’s financial condition. Because a convertible security derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock could impact the price of the convertible security.
Currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of the fund’s investments and the fund’s share price. The value of currencies are influenced by a variety of factors, that include: interest rates, national debt levels and trade deficits, changes in balances of payments and trade, domestic and foreign interest and inflation
rates, global or regional political, economic or financial events, monetary policies of governments, actual or potential government intervention, global energy prices, political instability and government monetary policies and the buying or selling of currency by a country’s government. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the US dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably, thereby impacting the value of the fund’s investments.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Emerging markets countries typically have economic and political systems that are less developed, and can be expected to be less stable than developed markets. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation.
Applicable regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards may be less rigorous in emerging markets countries and there may be significant differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with emerging markets countries’ accounting standards and practices and those prepared in accordance with international accounting standards. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of an emerging market country’s issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The quality of audits in emerging markets countries may be unreliable. Consequently, the fund may not be provided the same degree of protection or information as would generally apply in developed countries and the fund may be exposed to significant losses.
There is also substantially less publicly available information about emerging market issuers than there is about issuers in developed countries. Therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, and less information may be available to the fund and other investors than would be the case if the fund’s investments were restricted to securities of issuers in developed countries.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk
Prospectus February 1, 2023
43
Fund Details

that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
There is no guarantee that derivatives, to the extent employed, will have the intended effect, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. The use of derivatives by the fund to hedge risk may reduce the opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
This risk can be ongoing for any security that does not trade actively or in large volumes, for any security that trades primarily on smaller markets, and for investments that typically trade only among a limited number of large investors (such as certain types of derivatives or restricted securities). In unusual market conditions, even normally liquid securities may be affected by a degree of liquidity
risk (i.e., if the number and capacity of traditional market participants is reduced). This may affect only certain securities or an overall securities market.
The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. If dealer capacity in fixed-income markets is insufficient for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income markets. Additionally, market participants, other than the fund, may attempt to sell fixed income holdings at the same time as the fund, which could cause downward pricing pressure and contribute to illiquidity.
Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may prevent the fund from being able to realize full value and thus sell a security for its full valuation. This could cause a material decline in the fund’s net asset value.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Stock market risk. When stock prices fall, you should expect the value of your investment to fall as well. Stock prices can be hurt by poor management on the part of the stock’s issuer, shrinking product demand and other business risks. These may affect single companies as well as groups of companies. The market as a whole may not favor the types of investments the fund makes, which could adversely affect a stock’s price, regardless of how well the company performs, or the fund’s ability to sell a stock at an attractive price. There is a chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. Events in the US and global financial markets, including actions taken by the US Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times
Prospectus February 1, 2023
44
Fund Details

result in unusually high market volatility which could negatively affect performance. High market volatility may also result from significant shifts in momentum of one or more specific stocks due to unusual increases or decreases in trading activity. Momentum can change quickly, and securities subject to shifts in momentum may be more volatile than the market as a whole and returns on such securities may drop precipitously. To the extent that the fund invests in a particular geographic region, capitalization or sector, the fund’s performance may be affected by the general performance of that region, capitalization or sector.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects,
duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market
Prospectus February 1, 2023
45
Fund Details

participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Cyber-attacks may include unauthorized attempts by third parties to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to the systems of the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants or data within them. In addition, power or communications outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also disrupt business operations or impact critical data.
Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders or cause reputational damage and subject the fund to regulatory fines, litigation costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures involving a fund counterparty could affect such counterparty’s ability to meet its obligations to the fund, which may result in losses to the fund and its shareholders. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present for issuers of securities held by the fund, which could have material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the fund’s investments to lose value. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to accurately price its investments.
For example, the fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. Therefore, the fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on third party service providers and data sources. NAV calculation may be impacted by operational risks arising from factors such as failures in systems and technology. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.
DWS Short Duration Fund
Investment Objective
The fund’s investment objective is to provide high income while also seeking to maintain a high degree of stability of shareholders’ capital.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, within the top four credit rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a “NRSRO”) (or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality). The fund may invest in securities of varying maturities. The fund normally seeks to maintain an average portfolio duration (a measure of sensitivity to interest rate movements) of no longer than three years by investing in fixed income securities with short-to intermediate-term maturities.
The fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in below investment-grade fixed income securities (“junk bonds”) of domestic and foreign issuers which are rated in the fifth and sixth highest credit rating categories by the three major NRSROs (Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group) or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality, including those whose issuers are located in countries with new or emerging securities markets. Compared to investment-grade debt securities, junk bonds generally pay higher yields, have higher volatility and higher risk of default on payments of interest or principal.
Fixed income securities in which the fund may invest include US government securities or obligations that are issued or guaranteed by the US Treasury or by agencies or instrumentalities of the US government; obligations backed by such US government securities; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of domestic or foreign corporations, including adjustable rate loans that have a senior right to payment (“senior loans”) and other floating rate debt instruments; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments or supranational entities; US dollar-denominated asset-backed securities issued by domestic or foreign entities; non-US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign corporations, foreign governments or supranational entities; mortgage pass-through securities issued by governmental and non-governmental issuers; collateralized mortgage obligations, real estate mortgage investment conduits and commercial mortgage-backed securities; collateralized loan obligations; short-term investments, including money market mutual funds. Portfolio management seeks diversified exposure to higher yielding mortgage, corporate and asset-backed sectors of the
Prospectus February 1, 2023
46
Fund Details

investment-grade fixed income markets. Senior loans may have longer trade settlement periods than other types of investments.
The fund invests in short-term investments to meet shareholder withdrawals and other liquidity needs. Short-term investments will be rated at the time of purchase within one of the top two short-term rating categories by a NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the fund’s investment advisor to be of similar quality.
The fund may also invest in Rule 144A securities, securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities), repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Transactions involving securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities) that have settlement dates greater than 35 days and transactions in reverse repurchase agreements are treated as derivatives by the fund and are subject to the fund's policies and procedures with respect to derivatives. Transactions with settlement dates greater than 35 days generally are used for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
If a fixed income security is rated differently among the three major NRSROs (Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group), portfolio management would rely on the highest credit rating for purposes of the fund’s investment policies.
The fund considers an emerging securities market to be one where the sovereign debt issued by the government in local currency terms is rated below investment-grade. Such lower-rated securities may be US dollar-denominated, and a portion may consist of non-US dollar-denominated investments.
Management process. Portfolio management uses a top-down and bottom-up approach, first focusing on sector allocations, then using relative value analysis to select the best securities within each sector. When selecting securities, portfolio management analyzes such factors as credit quality, interest rate sensitivity and spread relationships between individual bonds. Portfolio management may also consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors that it believes to be financially material.
Derivatives. Portfolio management generally may use futures contracts, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities), for duration management (i.e., reducing or increasing the sensitivity of the fund's portfolio to interest rate changes) or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge the fund's exposure to changes in foreign currency
exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings, to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.
Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.
Main Risks
There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund’s performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund’s performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the effective duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the fund, which may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Senior loans typically have adjustable interest rates. However, because floating rates on senior loans only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates may cause a fluctuation in the fund’s value. In addition, extreme increases in prevailing interest rates may cause an increase in senior loan defaults, which may cause a further decline in the fund’s value. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates could adversely affect the income earned by the fund from senior loans. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
47
Fund Details

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.
Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the
fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this “MAIN RISKS” section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors’ expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Credit risk. The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.
Because the issuers of high-yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high-yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
48
Fund Details

When purchasing senior loans, the fund faces the risk that the creditworthiness of the borrower may decline, causing the value of the fund’s interest in a loan to decline. In addition, a borrower may not be able to make timely payments on the interest and principal on the debt obligations it has outstanding. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a senior loan. Senior loans and other floating rate debt securities that are below investment grade are considered speculative because of the credit risk of the borrowers. Such borrowers may be more likely to default on payments of interest and principal in response to changes in economic conditions or circumstances. The value of senior loans made to such borrowers is likely to be more sensitive to adverse news about the borrower, markets or economy.
Any non-payment of principal or interest could result in a reduction of income to the fund, a reduction in the value of the fund’s interest in the senior loan and a reduction in the fund’s net asset value. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a senior loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated.
Some securities issued by US government agencies or instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Other securities that are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality are subject to greater credit risk than securities backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. This is because the US government might provide financial support, but has no obligation to do so, if there is a potential or actual loss of principal or failure to make interest payments.
Because of the rising US government debt burden, it is possible that the US government may not be able to meet its financial obligations or that securities issued by the US government may experience credit downgrades. Such a credit event may also adversely impact the financial markets and the fund.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities risk. These securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets such as consumer loans or receivables held in trust and often involve risks that are different from or possibly more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time, however, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline,
while the value of mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective duration of these securities and may expose the fund to a lower rate of return on reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities not backed by a government guarantee may be subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan.
Investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) are asset-backed securities whose underlying assets consist of a “pool” of loans issued in classes or “tranches” that may vary in risk and yield. CLOs may experience substantial losses due to defaults on underlying assets, which will be borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. Investments in CLOs may decrease in value when the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class and such risks may be magnified depending on the tranche of CLO securities in which the fund invests.
Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
High yield debt securities risk. High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities’ total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.
Foreign investment risk. The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the
Prospectus February 1, 2023
49
Fund Details

value of the fund’s foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.
Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.
Foreign governments may restrict investment by foreigners, limit withdrawal of trading profit or currency from the country, restrict currency exchange or seize foreign investments. The foreign investments of the fund may also be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes. Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are generally higher than those for US investments, and the transactions and custody of foreign assets may involve delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or investments.
Foreign markets can have liquidity risks beyond those typical of US markets. Because foreign exchanges generally are smaller and less liquid than US exchanges, buying and selling foreign investments can be more difficult and costly. Relatively small transactions can sometimes materially affect the price and availability of foreign securities. In certain situations, it may become virtually impossible to sell a foreign investment in an orderly fashion at a price that approaches portfolio management's estimate of its value. For the same reason, it may at times be difficult to value the fund’s foreign investments.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Emerging markets countries typically have economic and political systems that are less developed, and can be expected to be less stable than developed markets. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation.
Applicable regulatory, accounting, auditing and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards may be less rigorous in emerging markets countries and there may be significant differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with emerging markets countries’ accounting standards and practices and those prepared in accordance with international accounting standards. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of an emerging market country’s issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The quality of audits in emerging markets countries may be unreliable. Consequently, the fund may not be provided the same degree of protection or information as would generally apply in developed countries and the fund may be exposed to significant losses.
There is also substantially less publicly available information about emerging market issuers than there is about issuers in developed countries. Therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, and less information may be available to the fund and other investors than would be the case if the fund’s investments were restricted to securities of issuers in developed countries.
Prepayment and extension risk. When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund’s assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund’s share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.
Senior loans risk. The fund invests in senior loans that may not be rated by a rating agency, registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any national securities exchange. Therefore, there may be less publicly available information about them than for registered or exchange-listed securities. The Advisor relies on its own evaluation of the creditworthiness of borrowers, but will consider, and may rely in part on, analyses performed by others. As a result, the fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Advisor.
Senior loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud and misrepresentation protections of the federal securities laws. Senior loans involve other risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and prepayment and extension risk.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
50
Fund Details

Because affiliates of the Advisor may participate in the primary and secondary market for senior loans, limitations under applicable law may restrict the fund’s ability to participate in a restructuring of a senior loan or to acquire some senior loans, or affect the timing or price of such acquisition. The fund also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a senior loan. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a publicly-traded security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. If the Advisor wishes to invest in the publicly traded securities of a borrower, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the borrower to which other lenders have access.
Forward commitment risk. When a fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions (e.g., TBAs), the fund relies on the counterparty to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Such transactions may also have the effect of leverage on the fund and may cause the fund to be more volatile. Additionally, these transactions may create a higher portfolio turnover rate.
Derivatives risk. Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into “over-the-counter” (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.
There is no guarantee that derivatives, to the extent employed, will have the intended effect, and their use could cause lower returns or even losses to the fund. The use of derivatives by the fund to hedge risk may reduce the opportunity for gain by offsetting the positive effect of favorable price movements.
Counterparty risk. A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.
Security selection risk. The securities in the fund’s portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund’s investments or fluctuations in the fund’s assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.
Liquidity risk. In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.
This risk can be ongoing for any security that does not trade actively or in large volumes, for any security that trades primarily on smaller markets, and for investments that typically trade only among a limited number of large investors (such as certain types of derivatives or restricted securities). In unusual market conditions, even normally liquid securities may be affected by a degree of liquidity risk (i.e., if the number and capacity of traditional market participants is reduced). This may affect only certain securities or an overall securities market.
The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. If dealer capacity in fixed-income markets is insufficient for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income markets. Additionally, market participants, other than the fund, may attempt to sell fixed income holdings at the same time as the fund, which could cause downward pricing pressure and contribute to illiquidity.
Senior loans may have longer trade settlement periods than other types of investments which could result in the fund not receiving the proceeds from a sale of a senior loan for an extended period after such sale. To the extent that other sources of liquidity are unavailable, the uncertainty of trade settlement periods could lead to shortfalls in cash needed to handle fund redemptions, especially during periods of heavy redemption activity.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
51
Fund Details

Pricing risk. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment’s sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.
Secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may prevent the fund from being able to realize full value and thus sell a security for its full valuation. This could cause a material decline in the fund’s net asset value.
Securities lending risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund’s ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.
Operational and technology risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund’s or its service providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund’s net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund’s operations.
While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises)
that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund’s service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund’s operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.
Cyber-attacks may include unauthorized attempts by third parties to improperly access, modify, disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to the systems of the fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants or data within them. In addition, power or communications outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also disrupt business operations or impact critical data.
Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders or cause reputational damage and subject the fund to regulatory fines, litigation costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures involving a fund counterparty could affect such counterparty’s ability to meet its obligations to the fund, which may result in losses to the fund and its shareholders. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present for issuers of securities held by the fund, which could have material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the fund’s investments to lose value. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to accurately price its investments.
For example, the fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. Therefore, the fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on third party service providers and data sources. NAV calculation may be impacted by operational risks arising from factors such as failures in systems and technology. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.
Other Policies and Risks
While the previous pages describe the main points of each fund’s strategy and risks, there are a few other matters to know about:
Prospectus February 1, 2023
52
Fund Details

Although major changes tend to be infrequent, each fund’s Board could change a fund's investment objective without seeking shareholder approval. However, the Board of DWS GNMA Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days notice prior to making any changes to the fund's 80% investment policy as described herein.
When, in the Advisor's opinion, it is advisable to adopt a temporary defensive position because of unusual and adverse or other market conditions, up to 100% of each fund's assets may be held in cash or invested in money market securities or other short-term investments. Short-term investments consist of (1) foreign and domestic obligations of sovereign governments and their agencies and instrumentalities, authorities and political subdivisions; (2) other short-term high quality rated debt securities or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Advisor; (3) commercial paper; (4) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances; and (5) repurchase agreements. Short-term investments may also include shares of money market mutual funds. To the extent a fund invests in such instruments, the fund will not be pursuing its investment objective. However, portfolio management may choose to not use these strategies for various reasons, even in volatile market conditions.
DWS GNMA Fund may trade actively. This could raise transaction costs (thus lowering return) and could mean increased taxable distributions to shareholders and distributions that will be taxable to shareholders at higher federal income tax rates.
Portfolio management measures credit quality at the time it buys securities, using independent rating agencies or, for unrated securities, its own judgment. All securities must meet the credit quality standards applied by portfolio management at the time they are purchased. If a security’s credit quality changes, portfolio management will decide what to do with the security, based on its assessment of what would most benefit a fund.
From time to time, a fund may have a concentration of shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on a fund.
Your fund assets may be at risk of being transferred to the appropriate state if you fail to maintain a valid address and/or if certain activity does not occur in your account within the time specified by state abandoned property law. Contact your financial representative or the transfer agent for additional information.
Shareholders of a fund (which may include affiliated and/or non-affiliated registered investment companies that invest in a fund) may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of fund shares. These transactions may cause a fund to have to sell securities or invest additional cash, as the case may be. While it is impossible to predict the overall impact of these transactions over time, there could be adverse effects on a fund’s performance to the extent that a fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could adversely impact a fund’s liquidity, accelerate the realization of taxable income if sales of securities resulted in capital gains or other income and increase transaction costs, which may adversely affect a fund’s performance. These transactions could also adversely impact a fund’s ability to implement its investment strategies and pursue its investment objective, and, as a result, a larger portion of a fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash equivalents. In addition, large redemptions could significantly reduce a fund’s assets, which may result in an increase in a fund’s expense ratio on account of expenses being spread over a smaller asset base and/or the loss of fee breakpoints.
For More Information
This prospectus doesn’t tell you about every policy or risk of investing in each fund. If you want more information on each fund’s allowable securities and investment practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how to do this).
Keep in mind that there is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective.
A complete list of each fund’s portfolio holdings as of the month-end is posted on dws.com on or after the last day of the following month. More frequent posting of portfolio holdings information may be made from time to time on dws.com. The posted portfolio holdings information is available by fund and generally remains accessible at least until the date on which a fund files its Form N-CSR or publicly available Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period that includes the date as of which the posted information is current. Each fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes a description of a fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a fund’s portfolio holdings.
Who Manages and Oversees the Funds
The Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), with headquarters at 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, is the investment advisor for each fund. Under the oversight of the Board, the Advisor, or a subadvisor, makes investment decisions, buys and sells securities for each fund and conducts research that leads
Prospectus February 1, 2023
53
Fund Details

to these purchase and sale decisions. The Advisor is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”), a separate, publicly-listed financial services firm that is an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. The Advisor and its predecessors have more than 90 years of experience managing mutual funds and provide a full range of global investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients.
DWS represents the asset management activities conducted by DWS Group or any of its subsidiaries, including DIMA, other affiliated investment advisors and DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI” or the “Distributor”). DWS is a global organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world’s major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles.
The Advisor may utilize the resources of its global investment platform to provide investment management services through branch offices or affiliates located outside the US. In some cases, the Advisor may also utilize its branch offices or affiliates located in the US or outside the US to perform certain services, such as trade execution, trade matching and settlement, or various administrative, back-office or other services. To the extent services are performed outside the US, such activity may be subject to both US and foreign regulation. It is possible that the jurisdiction in which the Advisor or its affiliate performs such services may impose restrictions or limitations on portfolio transactions that are different from, and in addition to, those that apply in the US.
Management Fee. The Advisor receives a management fee from each fund. Below are the actual rates paid by each fund for the most recent fiscal year, as a percentage of each fund’s average daily net assets.
Fund Name
Fee Paid
DWS GNMA Fund
0.314%
DWS High Income Fund
0.461%
DWS Global High Income
Fund
0.376%*
DWS Short Duration Fund
0.322%
*
Reflecting the effect of expense limitations and/or fee waivers then in effect.
The following waivers are currently in effect:
For DWS GNMA Fund, the Advisor has contractually agreed through September 30, 2023 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at 0.87%, 1.62%, and 0.62%
for Class A, Class C, and Class S, respectively. In addition, the Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 1.12%, 0.56% and 0.56% for Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Class, respectively. The agreements may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
For DWS High Income Fund, the Advisor has contractually agreed through September 30, 2023 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at 1.00%, 0.75% and 0.75% for Class A, Class R6 and Institutional Class, respectively. In addition, the Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 1.75%, 1.25% and 0.75% for Class C, Class R and Class S, respectively. The agreements may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
For DWS Global High Income Fund, the Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 0.85%, 1.60%, 0.55%, 0.60% and 0.65% for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
For DWS Short Duration Fund, the Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 0.75%, 1.50%, 0.38%, 0.38% and 0.50% for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of each fund’s investment management agreement and, as applicable, subadvisory agreement, is contained in the most recent shareholder report for the annual period ended September 30 and semi-annual period ended March
Prospectus February 1, 2023
54
Fund Details

31 for DWS GNMA Fund, DWS High Income Fund and DWS Short Duration Fund and the most recent shareholder report for the annual period ended October 31 and semi-annual period ended April 30 for DWS Global High Income Fund. (see “Shareholder reports” on the back cover).
Under a separate administrative services agreement between each fund and the Advisor, each fund pays the Advisor a fee of 0.097% of the fund’s average daily net assets for providing most of each fund's administrative services. The administrative services fee discussed above is included in the fees and expenses table under “Other expenses.”
Multi-Manager Structure. The Advisor, subject to the approval of the Board, has ultimate responsibility to oversee any subadvisor to a fund and to recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of subadvisors. Each fund and the Advisor have received an order from the SEC that permits the Advisor to appoint or replace certain subadvisors, to manage all or a portion of a fund’s assets and enter into, amend or terminate a subadvisory agreement with certain subadvisors, in each case subject to the approval of a fund’s Board but without obtaining shareholder approval (“multi-manager structure”). The multi-manager structure applies to subadvisors that are not affiliated with the fund or the Advisor (“nonaffiliated subadvisors”), as well as subadvisors that are indirect or direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Advisor or that are indirect or direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Advisor (“wholly-owned subadvisors”). Pursuant to the SEC order, the Advisor, with the approval of a fund’s Board, has the discretion to terminate any subadvisor and allocate and reallocate a fund’s assets among any other nonaffiliated subadvisors or wholly-owned subadvisors (including terminating a nonaffiliated subadvisor and replacing it with a wholly-owned subadvisor). Each fund and the Advisor are subject to the conditions imposed by the SEC order, including the condition that within 90 days of hiring a new subadvisor pursuant to the multi-manager structure, each fund will provide shareholders with an information statement containing information about the new subadvisor. The shareholders of DWS GNMA Fund, DWS High Income Fund and DWS Short Duration Fund have approved the multi-manager structure described herein. The shareholders of DWS Global High Income Fund have approved the multi-manager structure with respect to nonaffiliated subadvisors. Until shareholders of DWS Global High Income Fund have approved the multi-manager structure with respect to wholly-owned subadvisors, the fund may not appoint wholly-owned subadvisors in the manner described herein in this paragraph.
Management
DWS GNMA Fund
The following Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
Gregory M. Staples, CFA, Regional Head of Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Joined DWS in 2005 with 23 years of industry experience. Prior to joining, he served as a Senior Managing Director at MONY.
Head of Fixed Income for North America: New York.
BA in Economics, Columbia College; MBA, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Thomas J. Sweeney, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 2005 with 4 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served as a structured trader. Previously, he worked in the Technology division. Before joining, he developed portfolio analytics systems at Merrill Lynch as a part of their Private Investors Technology Group.
Portfolio Manager / Structured Finance Sector Head: New York.
BS in Computer Science, Rutgers College.
Hyun Lee, CFA, Lead Portfolio Manager Real Estate. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 2022 with 21 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served as Portfolio Manager at Lord Abbett, managing residential MBS, US inflation and rates products.
Lead Portfolio Manager Fixed Income: New York.
BA and MA in Economics, University of Chicago.
DWS High Income Fund
The following Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
Gary Russell, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2006.
Joined DWS in 1996. Served as the Head of the High Yield group in Europe and as an Emerging Markets Portfolio Manager.
Prior to that, he spent four years at Citicorp as a research analyst and structurer of collateralized mortgage obligations. Prior to Citicorp, he served as an officer in the US Army from 1988 to 1991.
Co-Head of US Credit – Head of US High Yield Bonds and Loans: New York.
BS, United States Military Academy (West Point); MBA, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Thomas R. Bouchard, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
55
Fund Details

Joined DWS in 2006. Prior to joining, he served as a High Yield Investment Analyst at Flagship Capital Management. He also served as an officer in the US Army from 1989 to 1997.
Portfolio Manager for High Yield Strategies: New York.
BS, University of Wisconsin – Madison; MBA in Finance, Boston College; MA in Strategic Studies from US Army War College.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2018.
Joined DWS in 2004. Prior to his current role, he worked as a high yield credit analyst. Prior to joining, he served as a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting.
Portfolio Manager for High Yield Strategies: New York.
BS, Cornell University; MBA in Finance and Strategy, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Sarah Rowin, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 2014 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining, Sarah worked as an analyst for high yield and distressed securities at GMP Securities. Previously, she served as an investment grade and high yield analyst at CreditSights.
Senior Portfolio Manager / Fixed Income: New York
BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania; CFA Charterholder
DWS Global High Income Fund
The following Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
Gary Russell, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2006.
Joined DWS in 1996. Served as the Head of the High Yield group in Europe and as an Emerging Markets Portfolio Manager.
Prior to that, he spent four years at Citicorp as a research analyst and structurer of collateralized mortgage obligations. Prior to Citicorp, he served as an officer in the US Army from 1988 to 1991.
Co-Head of US Credit – Head of US High Yield Bonds and Loans: New York.
BS, United States Military Academy (West Point); MBA, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Thomas R. Bouchard, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Joined DWS in 2006. Prior to joining, he served as a High Yield Investment Analyst at Flagship Capital Management. He also served as an officer in the US Army from 1989 to 1997.
Portfolio Manager for High Yield Strategies: New York.
BS, University of Wisconsin – Madison; MBA in Finance, Boston College; MA in Strategic Studies from US Army War College.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2018.
Joined DWS in 2004. Prior to his current role, he worked as a high yield credit analyst. Prior to joining, he served as a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting.
Portfolio Manager for High Yield Strategies: New York.
BS, Cornell University; MBA in Finance and Strategy, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Sarah Rowin, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2023.
Joined DWS in 2014 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining, Sarah worked as an analyst for high yield and distressed securities at GMP Securities. Previously, she served as an investment grade and high yield analyst at CreditSights.
Senior Portfolio Manager / Fixed Income: New York
BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania; CFA Charterholder
DWS Short Duration Fund
The following Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
Thomas J. Sweeney, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.
Joined DWS in 2005 with 4 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served as a structured trader. Previously, he worked in the Technology division. Before joining, he developed portfolio analytics systems at Merrill Lynch as a part of their Private Investors Technology Group.
Portfolio Manager / Structured Finance Sector Head: New York.
BS in Computer Science, Rutgers College.
Jeff Morton, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.
Joined DWS in 2011 with 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining, he served as a Portfolio Manager at Fischer Francis Trees and Watts. Previously, he worked as a Vice President at Credit Suisse and at Blackrock.
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager: New York.
BS in Major Industrial Management and Economics, Carnegie Mellon University.
Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2022.
Joined DWS in 2004. Prior to his current role, he worked as a high yield credit analyst. Prior to joining, he served as a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting.
Portfolio Manager for High Yield Strategies: New York.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
56
Fund Details

BS, Cornell University; MBA in Finance and Strategy, New York University, Stern School of Business.
Each fund’s Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about a portfolio manager’s investments in each fund, a description of the portfolio management compensation structure and information regarding other accounts managed.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
57
Fund Details

Investing in the Funds
This prospectus offers the share classes noted on the front cover. All classes of a fund have the same investment objective and investments, but each class has its own fees and expenses, offering you a choice of cost structures:
Class A shares and Class C shares are intended for investors seeking the advice and assistance of a financial representative, who will typically receive compensation for those services.
Class R shares, Class R6 shares and Institutional Class shares are only available to particular investors or through certain programs, as described below.
Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund’s transfer agent.
Your financial representative may also charge you additional fees, commissions or other charges.
The following pages tell you how to invest in a fund and what to expect as a shareholder. The following pages also tell you about many of the services, choices and benefits of being a shareholder. You’ll also find information on how to check the status of your account.
If you’re investing directly with each fund’s transfer agent, all of this information applies to you. If you’re investing through a “third party provider” — for example, a workplace retirement plan, financial supermarket or financial representative — your provider may have its own policies or instructions and you should follow those. Refer to Appendix B “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” for information about available sales charge waivers and discounts through certain intermediaries.
You can find out more about the topics covered here by speaking with your financial representative or a representative of your workplace retirement plan or other investment provider. For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in a fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/ (this Web site does not form a part of this prospectus).
Each fund, the Distributor and the transfer agent do not provide investment advice or recommendations to existing or potential shareholders with respect to investing in a fund, including which class may be appropriate for you.
Choosing a Share Class
Before you invest, take a moment to look over the characteristics of each share class, so that you can be sure to choose the class that’s right for you.
We describe each share class in detail on the following pages. But first, you may want to look at the following table, which gives you a brief description and comparison of the main features of each class. You should consult with your financial representative to determine which class of shares is appropriate for you.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 58 Investing in the Funds

Classes and features
Points to help you compare
Class A
 
Sales charge of up to 4.50%
(DWS High Income Fund and
DWS Global High Income
Fund), 2.75% (DWS GNMA
Fund) or 2.25% (DWS Short
Duration Fund) charged when
you buy shares
In most cases, no charge when
you sell shares
Up to 0.25% annual share-
holder servicing fee
Some investors may be able to
reduce or eliminate their sales
charge; see “Class A Shares”
and Appendix B
Total annual expenses are
lower than those for Class C
Distributions are generally
higher than Class C
The sales charge applicable to
other DWS funds will apply for
exchanges from Class A of
DWS Short Duration Fund into
Class A of other DWS funds if
the Class A shares of DWS
Short Duration Fund were
purchased during the period
beginning February 11,
2019 and ending on July 14,
2020, when DWS Short Dura-
tion Fund did not charge a
front-end sales charge
Class C
 
No sales charge when you buy
shares
Deferred sales charge of
1.00%, charged when you sell
shares you bought within the
last year
0.75% annual distribution fee
and up to 0.25% annual share-
holder servicing fee
Unlike Class A, Class C does
not have a sales charge when
buying shares, but has higher
annual expenses and a one
year deferred sales charge
Distributions are generally
lower than Class A
Maximum investment applies
Class C automatically converts
to Class A after 8 years,
provided that records held by
the fund or your financial inter-
mediary verify Class C shares
have been held for at least
8 years
Class R
 
No sales charge when you buy
shares and no deferred sales
charge when you sell shares
0.25% annual distribution fee
and up to 0.25% annual share-
holder servicing fee
Only available to participants in
certain retirement plans
Distributions are generally
higher than Class C but lower
than Class A, Class S or Institu-
tional Class
Class R6
 
No sales charge when you buy
shares and no deferred sales
charge when you sell shares
Only available to participants in
certain qualifying plans and
programs
Institutional Class
 
No sales charge when you buy
shares and no deferred sales
charge when you sell shares
Only available to certain institu-
tional investors; typically
$1,000,000 minimum initial
investment
Distributions are generally
higher than Class A, Class C
and Class R, and may be higher
than Class S, depending on
relative expenses
Class S
 
No sales charge when you buy
shares and no deferred sales
charge when you sell shares
Total annual expenses are
lower than those for Class A,
Class C and Class R
Distributions are generally
higher than Class A, Class C
and Class R, and may be higher
than Institutional Class,
depending on relative expenses
The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares and the contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on redemptions of Class A and Class C shares are paid to the fund’s distributor, DDI, who may distribute all or a portion of the sales charge to your financial representative. In certain instances described below, a sales charge may be waived by DDI or your financial representative. If your financial representative agrees to waive any sales charge due to it from DDI, DDI will not collect the sales charge on your investment or redemption.
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from each fund or through a financial intermediary. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or CDSC waivers (see Appendix B). For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, you will have to purchase fund shares directly from each fund or through another intermediary. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify a fund or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying you for sales charge waivers or discounts.
Class A Shares
Class A shares may make sense for long-term investors, especially those who are eligible for a reduced or eliminated sales charge.
Class A shares have a 12b-1 plan, under which a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% is deducted from class assets each year. Because the shareholder servicing fee is continuous in nature, it may, over time, increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Class A shares of DWS High Income Fund and DWS Global High Income Fund have an up-front sales charge that varies with the amount you invest:
Your investment
Front-end sales
charge as a %
of offering price1,2
Front-end sales
charge as a % of your
net investment2
Under $100,000
4.50%
4.71%
$100,000–$249,999
3.50
3.63
$250,000–$499,999
2.60
2.67
$500,000–$999,999
2.00
2.04
$1 million or more
see below3
see below3
Class A shares of DWS GNMA Fund have an up-front sales charge that varies with the amount you invest:
Your investment
Front-end sales
charge as a %
of offering price1,2
Front-end sales
charge as a % of your
net investment2
Under $100,000
2.75%
2.83%
$100,000–$249,999
2.50
2.56
$250,000 or more
see below3
see below3
Prospectus February 1, 2023
59
Investing in the Funds

Class A shares of DWS Short Duration Fund have an up-front sales charge that varies with the amount you invest:
Your investment
Front-end sales
charge as a %
of offering price1,2
Front-end sales
charge as a % of your
net investment2
Under $100,000
2.25%
2.30%
$100,000–$249,999
1.75
1.78
$250,000 or more
see below3
see below3
1
The “offering price”, the price you pay to buy shares, includes the sales charge which will be deducted directly from your investment.
2
Because of rounding in the calculation of the offering price, the actual front-end sales charge paid by an investor may be higher or lower than the percentages noted.
3
Refer to “Class A NAV Sales” below for additional details.
You may be able to lower your Class A sales charge if:
you indicate your intent in writing to invest at least $100,000 in any share class of any retail DWS fund (excluding direct purchase of DWS money market funds) over the next 24 months (Letter of Intent);
your holdings in all share classes of any retail DWS fund (excluding shares in DWS money market funds for which a sales charge has not previously been paid and computed at the maximum offering price at the time of the purchase for which the discount is applicable for Class A shares) you already own plus the amount you’re investing now in Class A shares is at least $100,000(Cumulative Discount); or
you are investing a total of $100,000 or more in any share class of two or more retail DWS funds (excluding direct purchases of DWS money market funds) on the same day (Combined Purchases).
The point of these three features is to let you count investments made at other times or in certain other funds for purposes of calculating your present sales charge. Any time you can use the privileges to “move” your investment into a lower sales charge category, it’s generally beneficial for you to do so.
For purposes of determining whether you are eligible for a reduced Class A sales charge, you and your immediate family (i.e., your spouse or life partner and your children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) may aggregate your investments in the DWS funds. This includes, for example, investments held in a retirement account, an employee benefit plan or with a financial representative other than the one handling your current purchase. These combined investments will be valued at their current offering price to determine whether your current investment qualifies for a reduced sales charge.
To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial representative or Shareholder Services know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. You may be asked by your financial representative or Shareholder Services to provide
account statements or other information regarding related accounts of you or your immediate family in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge.
Information about sales charge discounts is available free of charge. Please visit dws.com, refer to the section entitled “Purchase and Redemption of Shares” in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information or consult with your financial representative. Certain intermediaries may provide different sales charge discounts which are described under “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” in Appendix B to this prospectus.
In certain circumstances listed below, you may be able to buy Class A shares without a sales charge.In addition, certain intermediaries may provide different sales charge waivers. These waivers and the applicable intermediaries are described under “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” in Appendix B to this prospectus.Your financial representative or Shareholder Services can answer questions and help you determine if you are eligible for any of the sales charge waivers.
Class A NAV Sales. Class A shares may be sold at net asset value without a sales charge to:
(1)
investors investing $250,000 or more in DWS GNMA Fund or DWS Short Duration Fund or $1 million or more in DWS High Income Fund or DWS Global High Income Fund, either as a lump sum or through the sales charge reduction features referred to above (collectively, the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege). The Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege is not available if another net asset value purchase privilege is available. For DWS High Income Fund and DWS Global High Income Fund, purchases pursuant to the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a CDSC of 0.85% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date and 0.50% if redeemed within the following six months. For DWS GNMA Fund purchases pursuant to Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a CDSC of 0.50% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date. For DWS Short Duration Fund, purchases pursuant to the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a CDSC of 0.75% if redeemed within 12 months ofthe original purchase date. The CDSC is waived under certain circumstances (see below);
(2)
a current or former director or trustee of DWS mutual funds;
(3)
an employee (including the employee’s spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) of Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates or of a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS funds or of a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of a fund or service agents of a fund;
Prospectus February 1, 2023
60
Investing in the Funds

(4)
certain professionals who assist in the promotion of DWS funds pursuant to personal services contracts with DDI, for themselves or immediate members of their families;
(5)
any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons listed under the preceding paragraphs (2) and (3);
(6)
persons who purchase such shares through bank trust departments that process such trades through an automated, integrated mutual fund clearing program provided by a third party clearing firm;
(7)
selected employees (including their spouses or life partners and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger) of banks and other financial services firms that provide administrative services related to order placement and payment to facilitate transactions in shares of a DWS fund for their clients pursuant to an agreement with DDI or one of its affiliates. Only those employees of such banks and other firms who as part of their usual duties provide services related to transactions in fund shares qualify;
(8)
unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson & Associates, Inc. and unitholders of unit investment trusts sponsored by Ranson & Associates, Inc. or its predecessors through reinvestment programs described in the prospectuses of such trusts that have such programs;
(9)
persons who purchase such shares through certain investment advisors registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and other financial services firms acting solely as agent for their clients, that adhere to certain standards established by DDI, including a requirement that such shares be sold for the benefit of their clients participating in an investment advisory program or agency commission program under which such clients pay a fee to the investment advisor or other firm for portfolio management or agency brokerage services. Such shares are sold for investment purposes and on the condition that they will not be resold except through redemption or repurchase by a fund;
(10)
financial service firms that have entered into an agreement with DDI to offer Class A shares through a no-load network, platform or self-directed brokerage account that may or may not charge transaction fees to their clients. Refer to the section entitled “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” in Appendix B to this prospectus for information about available sales charge waivers through certain intermediaries;
(11)
DWS/Ascensus 403(b) Plans established prior to October 1, 2003, provided that the DWS/Ascensus 403(b) Plan is a participant-directed plan that has not less than 200 eligible employees;
(12)
Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are maintained by a fund at an omnibus level or are part of retirement plans or platforms offered by banks, broker-dealers, financial representatives or insurance companies or serviced by retirement recordkeepers (each, an “Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan”). For purposes of this sales charge waiver, the term “Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan” includes 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, but does not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, or Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SARSEPs) (each, an “Employer-Sponsored IRA”);
In addition, Class A shares may be sold at net asset value without a sales charge in connection with:
(13)
the acquisition of assets or merger or consolidation with another investment company, and under other circumstances deemed appropriate by DDI and consistent with regulatory requirements;
(14)
a direct “roll over” of a distribution from a DWS/Ascensus 403(b) Plan or from participants in employer sponsored employee benefit plans maintained on the OmniPlus subaccount recordkeeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance between ADP, Inc. and DDI and its affiliates into a DWS IRA;
(15)
reinvestment of fund dividends and distributions;
(16)
exchanging an investment in Class A shares of another fund in the DWS funds for an investment in a fund; and
(17)
exchanging an investment in Class C, Class S or Institutional Class shares of the fund for an investment in Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to one of the exchange privileges described in the prospectus.
Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge in any amount by members of the plaintiff class in the proceeding known as Howard and Audrey Tabankin, et al. v. Kemper Short-Term Global Income Fund, et al., Case No. 93 C 5231 (N.D. IL). This privilege is generally non-transferable and continues for the lifetime of individual class members and has expired for non-individual class members. To make a purchase at net asset value under this privilege, the investor must, at the time of purchase, submit a written request that the purchase be processed at net asset value pursuant to this privilege specifically identifying the purchaser as a member of the “Tabankin Class.” Shares purchased under this privilege will be maintained in a separate account that includes only shares purchased under this privilege. For more details concerning this privilege, class members should refer to the Notice of (i) Proposed Settlement with Defendants; and (ii) Hearing to Determine Fairness of
Prospectus February 1, 2023
61
Investing in the Funds

Proposed Settlement, dated August 31, 1995, issued in connection with the aforementioned court proceeding. For sales of fund shares at net asset value pursuant to this privilege, DDI may in its discretion pay dealers and other financial services firms a concession, payable quarterly, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of net assets attributable to such shares maintained and serviced by the firm. A firm becomes eligible for the concession based upon assets in accounts attributable to shares purchased under this privilege in the month after the month of purchase and the concession continues until terminated by DDI. The privilege of purchasing Class A shares of a fund at net asset value under this privilege is not available if another net asset value purchase privilege also applies.
The Class A CDSC for shares purchased through the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege will be waived in the event of:
(1)
redemptions by a participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Internal Revenue Code) Section 401(a), a participant-directed non-qualified deferred compensation plan described in Internal Revenue Code Section 457 or a participant-directed qualified retirement plan described in Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b)(7) which is not sponsored by a K-12 school district;
(2)
redemptions by (i) employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the subaccount recordkeeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance between ADP, Inc. and DDI and its affiliates; or (ii) DWS/Ascensus 403(b) Plans;
(3)
redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who has died;
(4)
redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled (as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security Administration);
(5)
redemptions under a fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan at a maximum of 12% per year of the net asset value of the account; and
(6)
redemptions for certain loan advances, hardship provisions or returns of excess contributions from retirement plans.
In addition, certain intermediaries may provide different CDSC waivers. These waivers and the applicable intermediaries are described under “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” in Appendix B to this prospectus.
Class C Shares
Class C shares may appeal to investors who aren’t certain of their investment time horizon.
With Class C shares, you pay no up-front sales charge to a fund. Class C shares have a 12b-1 plan, under which a distribution fee of 0.75% and a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% are deducted from class assets each year. Because of the distribution fee, the annual expenses for Class C shares are higher than those for Class A shares (and the performance of Class C shares is correspondingly lower than that of Class A shares).
Class C shares have a CDSC, but only on shares you sell within one year of buying them:
Year after you bought shares
CDSC on shares you sell
First year
1.00%
Second year and later
None
This CDSC is waived under certain circumstances described below.
(1)
redemptions by (i) employer-sponsored employee benefit plans using the subaccount recordkeeping system made available through ADP, Inc. under an alliance between ADP, Inc. and DDI and its affiliates; or (ii) DWS/Ascensus 403(b) Plans;
(2)
redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who has died;
(3)
redemption of shares of a shareholder (including a registered joint owner) who after purchase of the shares being redeemed becomes totally disabled (as evidenced by a determination by the federal Social Security Administration);
(4)
redemptions under a fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan at a maximum of 12% per year of the net asset value of the account;
(5)
redemption of shares by an employer-sponsored employee benefit plan that offers funds in addition to DWS funds and whose dealer of record has waived the advance of the first year administrative service and distribution fees applicable to such shares and agrees to receive such fees quarterly;
(6)
redemption of shares purchased through a dealer-sponsored asset allocation program maintained on an omnibus recordkeeping system provided the dealer of record had waived the advance of the first year administrative services and distribution fees applicable to such shares and has agreed to receive such fees quarterly;
(7)
redemptions made pursuant to any IRA systematic withdrawal based on the shareholder’s life expectancy including, but not limited to, substantially equal periodic payments described in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) prior to age 59 1/2; and
(8)
redemptions to satisfy required minimum distributions from an IRA account (with the maximum amount subject to this waiver being based only upon the shareholder’s DWS IRA accounts).
Prospectus February 1, 2023
62
Investing in the Funds

Your financial representative or Shareholder Services can answer your questions and help you determine if you’re eligible for a CDSC waiver. In addition, certain intermediaries may provide different CDSC waivers. These waivers and the applicable intermediaries are described under “Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries” in Appendix B to this prospectus.
While Class C shares do not have an up-front sales charge, their higher annual expenses because of the ongoing 12b-1 fees paid out of fund assets mean that, over the years, you could end up paying more than the equivalent of the maximum allowable up-front sales charge.
Orders to purchase Class C shares in excess of $250,000 for DWS GNMA Fund and DWS Short Duration Fund and $500,000 for DWS High Income Fund and DWS Global High Income Fund will be declined with the exception of orders received from financial representatives acting for clients whose shares are held in an omnibus account and certain employer-sponsored employee benefit plans.
Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 8 years, provided that the fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 8 years. Due to operational limitations at your financial intermediary, your ability to have your Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares may be limited. (For example, automatic conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares will not apply to fund shares held through group retirement plan recordkeeping platforms of certain broker-dealer intermediaries who hold such shares in an omnibus account and do not track participant level share lot aging. Such Class C shares would not satisfy the conditions for the automatic conversion.) Please consult your financial representative for more information. The automatic conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares would occur on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes without the imposition of any sales charges or other charges. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares in the same fund.
Class R Shares
Class R shares have no initial sales charge or deferred sales charge. Class R shares have a 12b-1 plan, under which a distribution fee of 0.25% and a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% are deducted from class assets each year. Because distribution fees are continuous in nature, these fees may, over time, increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Eligibility Requirements. You may buy Class R shares if you are a participant in certain retirement plan platforms that offer Class R shares of the fund through a plan level or omnibus account, including:
Section 401(a) and 457 plans
Certain section 403(b)(7) plans
401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension and defined benefit plans
Non-qualified deferred compensation plans
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
Class R6 Shares
Class R6 shares have no initial sales charge, deferred sales charge or 12b-1 fees.
Eligibility Requirements. You may buy Class R6 shares if you are a participant in certain qualifying plan or program platforms that offer Class R6 shares of the fund through a plan or program level or omnibus account, including:
Section 401(a) and 457 plans
Certain section 403(b)(7) plans
401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension and defined benefit plans
A plan administered as a college savings plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code
Certain individual retirement account (IRA) platform programs trading on an omnibus basis, subject to the discretion and approval of DDI
Non-qualified deferred compensation plans
Class R6 shares generally are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, traditional IRAs that are not held as part of an approved platform program, Roth IRAs, Coverdell education savings accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, or individual 403(b) plans.
Institutional Class Shares
Institutional Class shares have no initial sales charge, deferred sales charge or 12b-1 fees.
You may buy Institutional Class shares through your securities dealer or through any financial institution that is authorized to act as a shareholder servicing agent (“financial representative”). Contact them for details on how to place and pay for your order.
Eligibility Requirements. You may buy Institutional Class shares if you are any of the following (subject to the applicable investment minimum):
An eligible institution (e.g., a financial institution, corporation, trust, estate or educational, religious or charitable institution).
An employee benefit plan.
A plan administered as a college savings plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
A registered investment advisor or financial planner purchasing on behalf of clients and charging an asset-based or hourly fee.
A client of the private banking division of Deutsche Bank AG.
A current or former director or trustee of the DWS mutual funds.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
63
Investing in the Funds

An employee, the employee’s spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates or a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS funds or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares in each fund.
Investment Minimum
The minimum initial investment is waived for:
Investment advisory affiliates of Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. or DWS funds purchasing shares for the accounts of their investment advisory clients.
Employee benefit plans that transact through omnibus recordkeepers or that have assets of at least $50 million.
Clients of the private banking division of Deutsche Bank AG.
Institutional clients and qualified purchasers that are clients of a division of Deutsche Bank AG.
A current or former director or trustee of the DWS funds.
An employee, the employee’s spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates or a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS funds or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of each fund.
Financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor that invest client assets in a fund through an omnibus account on a trading platform meeting criteria specified by the Advisor.
Clients of financial intermediaries that charge a fee for advisory, investment consulting or similar services.
Employee benefit plan platforms approved by the Advisor that invest in a fund through an omnibus account that meets or, in the Advisor’s judgment, will meet within a reasonable period of time, the $1,000,000 minimum investment.
Shareholders with existing accounts prior to August 13, 2004 who met the previous minimum investment eligibility requirement.
In addition, the Advisor may, in its sole discretion, waive the investment minimum in certain circumstances.
Each fund reserves the right to modify the above eligibility requirements and investment minimum requirements at any time. In addition, each fund, in its discretion, may waive the minimum initial investment for a specific employee benefit plan (or family of plans) whose aggregate investment in Institutional Class shares of a fund equals or exceeds the minimum initial investment amount but where an individual plan account or program may not on its own meet such minimum amount.
Class S Shares
Class S shares have no initial sales charge, deferred sales charge or 12b-1 fees.
Class S shares are available through (i) fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with DDI, (ii) certain group retirement plans, and (iii) certain registered investment advisors, or (iv) by establishing an account directly with each fund’s transfer agent.
Investors who purchase shares through a financial intermediary may be charged ongoing fees for services they provide. This includes investors who purchase Class S shares in connection with certain programs or plans, such as:
Broker-dealers, banks and registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) in connection with a comprehensive or “wrap” fee program or other fee-based program.
Any group retirement, employee stock, bonus, pension or profit-sharing plans.
Plans administered as college savings plans under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Persons who purchase shares through a Health Savings Account or a Voluntary Employees’ Benefit Association (“VEBA”) Trust.
Class S shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with DDI to offer such shares when acting solely on an agency basis for its customers for the purchase or sale of such shares. If you transact in Class S shares through one of these programs, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to your broker. Shares of a fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Class S shares are also available to accounts managed by the Advisor, any advisory products offered by the Advisor or DDI and to funds-of-funds managed by the Advisor or its affiliates.
Investment Minimum
The minimum initial investment may be waived for:
Eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms.
Buying, Exchanging and Selling Class A, Class C, Institutional Class and Class S Shares
To contact DWS
By TELEPhone
(800) 728-3337
Prospectus February 1, 2023
64
Investing in the Funds

By Mail
Type
Address
Expedited mail
 
All Requests
DWS
430 West 7th Street
Suite 219151
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Regular mail
 
All Requests
DWS
P.O. Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
How to Buy Shares
Please note that your account cannot be opened until we receive a completed account application. Eligibility to open new accounts and to process transactions on the Internet or using the mobile app varies by account type and share class.
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
Non-IRA
IRAs
UGMAs/
UTMAs
Automatic
Investment
Plans
A C
1,000
500
1,000
500
INST
1,000,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
S
2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000
For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see “Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.
Through a Financial Representative
Contact your financial representative to obtain a new account application or for instructions about how to set up a new account. Your financial representative can also assist with making additional investments into an existing account.
On the Internet
Register at dws.com to establish a new account (Class S shares only) or to set up online access to your existing account(s), or log in to the Web site if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the Web site to request a purchase with money from the bank account you have established on your DWS fund account(s). Electronic purchases using the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) take two to three days to be completed and
there is a $250,000 maximum. If establishing a new account online, you can also elect to make your initial investment by mailing a check to the address provided in the new account application process.
Using the Mobile App
Download the mobile app (available for both iOS and Android) and register to establish a new account (Class S shares only) or to set up mobile access to your existing account(s), or log in using the mobile app if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the mobile app to request a purchase with money from the bank account you have established on your DWS fund account(s). Electronic purchases using ACH take two to three days to be completed and there is a $250,000 maximum. If establishing a new account using the mobile app, you can also elect to make your initial investment by mailing a check to the address provided in the new account application process.
By Mail or Expedited Mail
To establish an account, simply complete the appropriate application and mail it to the address provided on the form. With your application, include your check made payable to “DWS Funds” for the required initial minimum investmentfor the share class you have selected.
Once your account is established, to make additional investments, send a check made payable to “DWS Funds” and an investment slip to the appropriate address. If you do not have an investment slip, include a letter with your name, account number, the full fund name and share class, and your investment instructions. If your check fails to clear, the fund has the right to cancel your order, hold you liable or charge you or your account for any losses or fees the fund or its agents have incurred.
By Automatic Investment Plan (not available for Institutional Class)
If you wish to take advantage of the lower initial investment minimums by establishing an Automatic Investment Plan, make sure to complete that section on the new account application. If you are establishing an account by mail you will need to attach a voided check for the bank account from which the funds will be drawn. Subsequent investments are made automatically from the shareholder’s account at a bank, savings and loan or credit union into the shareholder’s fund account. The maximum Automatic Investment Plan investment is $250,000. Termination by a shareholder will become effective within thirty days after DWS has received the request. Each fund may immediately terminate a shareholder’s Automatic Investment Plan in the event that any item is unpaid by the shareholder’s financial institution.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
65
Investing in the Funds

Other Ways to Buy Shares
The following privileges must be established on your account before an investment request is made. This can either be done by completing the applicable section(s) on the new account application or by contacting a customer service representative for instructions.
By Telephone Using QuickBuy (for additional investments only). Call DWS and use our automated system to place your QuickBuy purchase using the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. Transactions take two to three days to be completed and there is a $50 minimum and a $250,000 maximum.
By Wire (for additional Institutional Class investments only). You may buy shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. Please note that you or your financial representative must call us in advance of a wire transfer purchase. After you inform us of the amount of your purchase, you will receive a trade confirmation number. Instruct your bank to send payment by wire using the wire instructions noted below. All wires must be received the next business day after your order is processed. If your wire is not received the next business day, your transaction will be canceled at your expense and risk.
Wire Details
Bank name
State Street Bank Boston
Routing Number
011000028
Attention
DWS
DDA Number
9903-5552
FBO
(Account name) (Account number)
Credit
(Fund name, Fund number and, if
applicable, class name)
Refer to your account statement for the account name and number. Wire transfers normally take two or more hours to complete. Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain other times.
How to Exchange Shares
Requirements and Limits
Class
Exchanging into Another Fund ($)
A C
1,000 minimum into new non-IRA accounts per
fund
500 minimum into new IRA accounts per fund
50 minimum into all existing accounts per fund
INST
1,000,000 minimum into new accounts per fund
S
2,500 minimum into new non-IRA accounts per
fund
1,000 minimum into new IRA and UTMA/UGMA
accounts per fund
50 minimum into all existing accounts per fund
Exchanges between funds are allowed between like share classes. Class A shares may also be exchanged with the following money market fund shares as described in each applicable prospectus: DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio – DWS Government & Agency Money Fund shares, DWS Tax-Exempt Portfolio – DWS Tax-Exempt Money Fund shares or DWS Money Market Prime Series – DWS Money Market Fund shares.
Through a Financial Representative
In addition to what is detailed below, your financial representative can assist you with exchanging shares. Please contact your financial representative using the method that is most convenient for you.
On the Internet
Register at dws.com to set up online access to your account(s), or log in to the Web site if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the Web site to request an exchange to another DWS fund.
Using the Mobile App
Download the mobile app and register, or log in using the mobile app if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the mobile app to request an exchange to another DWS fund.
By Telephone
Call DWS and use our automated system to place your exchange or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. For accounts with $5,000 or more, you may also establish a Systematic Exchange Plan of a minimum of $50 to another DWS fund on a regular basis. A representative can assist you with establishing this privilege.
By Mail or Expedited Mail
Write a letter that includes the following information: the name(s) of all owners and address as they appear on your account, the fund name, share class, and account number from which you want to exchange, the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange, and the name of the fund into which you want to exchange. Also include
Prospectus February 1, 2023
66
Investing in the Funds

a daytime telephone number if we have any questions. All owners should sign the letter and it should be mailed to the appropriate address for exchanges and redemptions.
How to Sell Shares
Requirements and Limits
Class
Selling Shares ($)
A C
Check redemption:
Up to 100,000. More than 100,000 see
“Signature Guarantee”
Automated Clearing House (ACH) to your bank:
Minimum 50, maximum 250,000
Wire redemption to your bank: Minimum 1,000
INST
Same as Classes A and C
S
Same as Classes A and C
Requirements and limits apply no matter how you make your redemption request. Not all transactions can be processed on the Internet or using the mobile app.
Through a Financial Representative
In addition to what is detailed below, your financial representative can assist you with selling shares. Please contact your financial representative using the method that is most convenient for you.
On the Internet
Register at dws.com to set up online access to your account(s), or log in to the Web site if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the Web site to request a redemption from your account using the desired method from your available options.
Using the Mobile App
Download the mobile app and register, or log in using the mobile app if you have previously registered. Follow the instructions on the mobile app to request a redemption from your account using the desired method from your available options.
By Telephone
Call DWS and use our automated system or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. You may request a check for the redemption amount sent to the address on the account. You may elect overnight delivery of your check for a $20 fee ($25 for Saturday delivery), which will be paid by redeeming a portion of your shares equal to the amount of the fee. Overnight delivery is not available to a P.O. Box.
By Mail or Expedited Mail
Write a letter that includes the following information: the name(s) of all owners and address as they appear on your account, the fund name, share class, and account number from which you want to sell shares, the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to sell, and a daytime telephone number if we have questions. All owners should
sign the letter and it should be mailed to the appropriate address. You may elect overnight delivery of your check for a $20 fee ($25 for Saturday delivery), which will be paid by redeeming a portion of your shares equal to the amount of the fee. Overnight delivery is not available to a P.O. Box.
Some redemptions can only be ordered in writing with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. For more information, please contact DWS (see telephone number on the back cover).
Other Ways to Sell Shares
The following privileges must be established on your account before a redemption request is made. This can either be done by completing the applicable section(s) on the new account application when you establish your account or by contacting a customer service representative for instructions. Depending on the method you choose to request these redemptions, different transaction maximums may apply.
By Telephone Using QuickSell. Call DWS and use our automated system to request a QuickSell redemption or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative (see table for applicable minimum and maximum amounts). The proceeds are sent via the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) to your bank. Transactions generally take two to three days to be completed. For accounts with $5,000 or more, you may also establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan of a minimum of $50 to be sent on a regular basis as you direct. The $5,000 value does not apply to IRA accounts.
By Wire. You may sell shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. You will be paid for redeemed shares by wire transfer of funds to your financial representative or bank upon receipt of a duly authorized redemption request. For your protection, you may not change the destination bank account over the telephone. To sell by wire, call DWS and either use the automated system or speak with a customer service representative to request your redemption. After you inform us of the amount of your redemption, you will receive a trade confirmation number. We must receive your order by the time each fund calculates its share price on any given business day to wire to your account the next business day.
How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Class R Shares
If your plan sponsor has selected Class R shares as an investment option, you may buy Class R shares through your securities dealer or through any financial institution that is authorized to act as a shareholder servicing agent (“shareholder servicing agent”). Contact them for details on how to enter and pay for your order. Shareholder servicing agents include brokers, financial representatives or any other bank, dealer or other institution that have a sub-shareholder servicing agreement with the funds.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
67
Investing in the Funds

Shareholder servicing agents may charge additional fees to investors for those services not otherwise included in their sub-distribution or servicing agreement, such as cash management or special trust or retirement investment reporting. In addition, the Advisor or administrator may provide compensation to shareholder servicing agents for distribution, administrative and promotional services.
There is no minimum investment with respect to Class R shares.
Instructions for buying and selling shares must generally be submitted by a retirement plan administrator, not by plan participants for whose benefit the shares are held. Please contact your shareholder servicing agent for more information on how to open a fund account.
IRA rollovers. You may complete a direct rollover from a retirement plan offering Class R shares to a DWS IRA account by reinvesting up to the full amount of your distribution in Class A, Class C or Class S shares of any DWS fund. Reinvestment into Class A shares will be at net asset value, and subsequent purchases of Class A shares will be made at the public offering price as described in the prospectus for Class A shares. Please note that if you terminate your participation in a retirement plan and transfer all of your Class R shares, you will lose the privilege of purchasing Class R shares in the future. Rollovers to a DWS Class R share IRA are not permitted.
How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Class R6 Shares
If your qualifying plan or program sponsor has selected Class R6 shares as an investment option, you may buy Class R6 shares through your securities dealer or through any institution that is authorized to act as a shareholder servicing agent for your plan or program. Contact them for details on how to enter and pay for your order.
Shareholder servicing agents may charge additional fees to investors for those services, such as cash management or special trust or retirement investment reporting.
There is no minimum investment with respect to Class R6 shares.
Instructions for buying and selling shares must generally be submitted by a qualifying plan or program administrator, not by plan or program participants for whose benefit the shares are held. Please contact your shareholder servicing agent for more information on how to open a fund account and how to buy, sell and exchange Class R6 shares.
IRA rollovers. You may complete a direct rollover from a retirement plan offering Class R6 shares to a DWS IRA account by reinvesting up to the full amount of your distribution in Class A, Class C or Class S shares of any DWS fund. Reinvestment into Class A shares will be at net asset value, and subsequent purchases of Class A shares will be made at the public offering price as described in the prospectus for Class A shares. Please note that if you
terminate your participation in a retirement plan and transfer all of your Class R6 shares, you will lose the privilege of purchasing Class R6 shares in the future.
Financial Intermediary Support Payments (not applicable to Class R6)
The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to each fund, to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers, participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries (“financial representatives”) in connection with the sale and/or distribution of fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of fund investors and fund shares (“revenue sharing”). Such revenue sharing payments are in addition to any distribution or service fees payable under any Rule 12b-1 or service plan of each fund, any recordkeeping/sub-transfer agency/networking fees payable by each fund (generally through the Distributor or an affiliate) and/or the Distributor or Advisor to certain financial representatives for performing such services and any sales charges, commissions, non-cash compensation arrangements expressly permitted under applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or other concessions described in the fee table or elsewhere in this prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information as payable to all financial representatives. For example, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may, using their legitimate profits, compensate financial representatives for providing a fund with “shelf space” or access to a third party platform or fund offering list or other marketing programs, including, without limitation, inclusion of the fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund “supermarket” platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Distributor access to the financial representative’s sales force; granting the Distributor access to the financial representative’s conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial representative’s personnel; and obtaining other forms of marketing support. In addition, revenue sharing payments may consist of the Distributor’s and/or its affiliates’ payment or reimbursement of ticket charges that would otherwise be assessed by a financial representative on an investor’s fund transactions.
The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial representatives may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of each fund attributable to the financial representative, the particular fund or fund type or other measures as agreed to by the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates and the financial representatives or any combination thereof. The amount of these payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial representatives based on, for example, the nature of the services provided by the financial representative.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
68
Investing in the Funds

The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates currently make revenue sharing payments from their own assets in connection with the sale and/or distribution of DWS fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of investors to financial representatives in amounts that generally range from 0.01% up to 0.52% of assets of each fund serviced and maintained by the financial representative, 0.05% to 0.25% of sales of each fund attributable to the financial representative, a flat fee of up to $95,000, or any combination thereof. These amounts are annual figures typically paid on a quarterly basis and are subject to change at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation may influence your financial representative’s recommendation of each fund or of any particular share class of each fund. You should review your financial representative’s compensation disclosure and/or talk to your financial representative to obtain more information on how this compensation may have influenced your financial representative’s recommendation of each fund. Additional information regarding these revenue sharing payments is included in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available to you on request at no charge (see the back cover of this prospectus for more information on how to request a copy of the Statement of Additional Information).
The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may also make such revenue sharing payments to financial representatives under the terms discussed above in connection with the distribution of both DWS funds and non-DWS funds by financial representatives to retirement plans that obtain recordkeeping services from ADP, Inc. or to 403(b) plans that obtain recordkeeping services from Ascensus, Inc. on the DWS-branded retirement plan platform (the “Platform”). The level of revenue sharing payments is based upon sales of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds by the financial representative on the Platform or current assets of both the DWS funds and the non-DWS funds serviced and maintained by the financial representative on the Platform.
It is likely that broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions for each fund will include firms that also sell shares of the DWS funds to their customers. However, the Advisor will not consider sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the DWS funds. Accordingly, the Advisor has implemented policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its traders from considering sales of DWS fund shares as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for each fund. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates will not use fund brokerage to pay for their obligation to provide additional compensation to financial representatives as described above.
Policies You Should Know About
Along with the information on the previous pages, the policies below may affect you as a shareholder. Some of this information, such as the section on distributions and taxes, applies to all investors, including those investing through a financial representative.
If you are investing through a financial representative or through a retirement plan, check the materials you received from them about how to buy and sell shares because particular financial representatives or other intermediaries may adopt policies, procedures or limitations that are separate from those described in this prospectus. Please note that a financial representative or other intermediary may charge fees separate from those charged by a fund and may be compensated by a fund.
Policies About Transactions
Each fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. Each fund calculates its share price for each class every business day, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, but sometimes earlier, as in the case of scheduled half-day trading, shortened trading hours due to emergency circumstances or unscheduled suspensions of trading). You can place an order to buy or sell shares at any time. All transactions are processed at the share price next calculated after the order or instruction is received in “good order.” (See “How each Fund Calculates Share Price.”)
An order to buy or sell shares received in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on a day each fund is open for business, will generally be effected at the share price calculated that day. An order received in good order after such time will generally be effected at the share price calculated on the next business day. A temporary intraday suspension or disruption of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange will not be treated as the close of regular trading for that day if trading resumes and therefore will not impact the time at which each fund calculates its share price on that day. In the event of an early close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, such as in the case of scheduled half-day trading, shortened trading hours due to emergency circumstances or unscheduled suspensions of trading, each fund will calculate its share price as of the early close on that day. In such event, an order received in good order before the early close will generally be effected at the share price calculated that day and an order received in good order after the early close will generally be effected at the share price calculated on the next business day.
In accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations, we may request additional information and/or documents to verify your identity. This information includes, but is not limited to, your name, address, date of
Prospectus February 1, 2023
69
Investing in the Funds

birth and other identifying documentation. If after reasonable effort we are unable to obtain this information to verify your identity, in accordance with federal regulations, within the time frames established by each fund, we will provide you with written notification and we may reject your application and order.
Because orders placed through a financial representative must be forwarded to the transfer agent, you’ll need to allow extra time for your order to be processed. Your financial representative should be able to tell you approximately when your order will be processed. It is the responsibility of your financial representative to forward your order to the transfer agent in a timely manner.
In the exercise of its sole discretion, each fund at any time may, without prior notice, refuse, cancel, limit or rescind any purchase; cancel or rescind any purchase order placed through a financial intermediary no later than the business day after the order is received by the financial intermediary; freeze account activity; and/or involuntarily redeem and close an existing account. Specifically, each fund reserves the right to involuntarily redeem an account (i) in case of actual or suspected fraudulent, illegal or suspicious activity by the account owner or any other individual associated with the account; or (ii) if the account owner fails to provide legally required information, including information and/or documentation related to identity verification, to each fund. Each fund is not required to provide justification to a potential or existing shareholder for taking any such action. Please be advised that if a fund involuntarily redeems and closes your account, under tax laws, you may be required to recognize a gain or a loss or otherwise incur tax consequences.
With certain limited exceptions, only US residents may invest in each fund.
Good order. We reserve the right to reject any order or instruction that is not in “good order.” Good order generally means that the order or instruction:
is complete and accurate (e.g., includes the account number, fund name, and amount of the transaction);
is provided by a person authorized to act for your account;
is accompanied by any required signatures, including signature guarantees or notarized signatures; and
is accompanied by any required supporting documentation.
Good order requirements are established by the fund or the transfer agent, depend on the type of account or transaction, and may be changed or waived at any time. Contact DWS if you have any questions.
Sub-Minimum Balances for Class A and C. Each fund may close your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls below $1,000 ($500 for accounts with an Automatic Investment Plan funded with $50 or more per month in subsequent investments), or below $250 for retirement accounts. We will give you 60 days’ notice
(90 days for retirement accounts) so you can either increase your balance or close your account (these policies don’t apply to investors with $100,000 or more in DWS fund shares, investors in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor, or group retirement plans and certain other accounts having lower minimum share balance requirements).
Sub-Minimum Balances for Institutional Class. Each fund may redeem your shares and close your account on 60 days’ notice if it fails to meet the minimum account balance requirement of $1,000,000 for any reason.
Sub-Minimum Balances for Class S. Each fund may close your account and send you the proceeds if your balance falls below $2,500 ($1,000 with an Automatic Investment Plan funded with $50 or more per month in subsequent investments); or below $250 for retirement accounts. We will give you 60 days’ notice (90 days for retirement accounts) so you can either increase your balance or close your account (these policies don’t apply to investors with $100,000 or more in DWS fund shares, investors in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor, or group retirement plans and certain other accounts having lower minimum share balance requirements).
Account Maintenance Fee for Classes A, C and S. Each fund charges a $20 account maintenance fee for each fund account that has a balance below $10,000. Except as otherwise noted below, fund accounts are not aggregated by share class or fund. The assessment will occur once per calendar year and may be assessed through the automatic redemption of fund shares in your account. The fee will be assessed on each fund account that falls below the minimum for any reason, including market value fluctuations, redemptions or exchanges.
The account maintenance fee will not apply to: (i) accounts with an automatic investment plan; (ii) accounts held in an omnibus account through a financial services firm; (iii) accounts maintained on behalf of participants in certain fee-based and wrap programs offered through certain financial intermediaries approved by the Advisor; (iv) participant level accounts in group retirement plans held on the records of a retirement plan record keeper; (v) accounts held by shareholders who maintain $50,000 or more in aggregate assets in DWS fund shares; (vi) shareholders who consent to electronic delivery for all documents (which include statements, prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, and other materials), except for tax forms; (vii) Uniform Gift to Minors (UGMA) and Uniform Transfer to Minors (UTMA) accounts; (viii) Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) accounts; and (ix) IRA accounts for shareholders beginning in the year in which they reach the applicable age for required minimum distributions under the Internal Revenue Code. You may elect
Prospectus February 1, 2023
70
Investing in the Funds

to receive electronic delivery of DWS fund materials by registering on dws.com, by using the mobile app or by calling the telephone number on the back cover.
Overnight delivery of DWS fund materials. You may request to receive a paper copy of any DWS fund materials via overnight delivery by calling the telephone number on the back cover. If you request an overnight delivery you will be charged a $20 fee ($25 for Saturday delivery) for each request, which will be paid by redeeming a portion of your shares equal to the amount of the fee. Overnight delivery is not available to a P.O. Box.
Market timing policies and procedures. Short-term and excessive trading of fund shares may present risks to long-term shareholders, including potential dilution in the value of fund shares, interference with the efficient management of a fund’s portfolio (including losses on the sale of investments), taxable gains to remaining shareholders and increased brokerage and administrative costs. These risks may be more pronounced if a fund invests in certain securities, such as those that trade in foreign markets, are illiquid or do not otherwise have “readily available market quotations.” Certain investors may seek to employ short-term trading strategies aimed at exploiting variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by a fund (e.g., “time zone arbitrage”). Each fund discourages short-term and excessive trading and has adopted policies and procedures that are intended to detect and deter short-term and excessive trading.
Each fund also reserves the right to reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason without prior notice. For example, a fund may in its discretion reject or cancel a purchase or an exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to the specific roundtrip transaction limitation described below if the Advisor believes that there appears to be a pattern of short-term or excessive trading activity by a shareholder or deems any other trading activity harmful or disruptive to a fund. Each fund, through its Advisor and transfer agent, will monitor changes in investment direction (CID) by a shareholder within a fund. A CID is a transaction opposite to the prior transaction, which can be a purchase, redemption or exchange. Each fund may take other trading activity into account if a fund believes such activity is of an amount or frequency that may be harmful to long-term shareholders or disruptive to portfolio management.
Shareholders are limited to four roundtrip transactions in the same DWS fund (excluding money market funds) over a rolling 12-month period. A “roundtrip” transaction is defined as any combination of purchase and redemption activity (including exchanges) of the same fund’s shares. Shareholders with four or more roundtrip transactions in the same DWS fund within a rolling 12-month period generally will be blocked from making additional purchases of, or exchanges into, that DWS fund for 12 months. Each fund reserves the right to extend or maintain a block beyond 12 months if it deems that the shareholder’s activity was
harmful to the fund, or that the pattern of activity suggests a pattern of abuse. The rights of a shareholder to redeem shares of a DWS fund are not affected by the four roundtrip transaction limitation.
Each fund may make exceptions to the roundtrip transaction policy for certain types of transactions if, in the opinion of the Advisor, the transactions do not represent short-term or excessive trading or are not abusive or harmful to a fund, such as, but not limited to, systematic transactions, required minimum retirement distributions, transactions initiated by a fund or administrator and transactions by certain qualified funds-of-funds.
In certain circumstances where shareholders hold shares of a fund through a financial intermediary, a fund may rely upon the financial intermediary’s policy to deter short-term or excessive trading if the Advisor believes that the financial intermediary’s policy is reasonably designed to detect and deter transactions that are not in the best interests of a fund. A financial intermediary’s policy relating to short-term or excessive trading may be more or less restrictive than the DWS funds’ policy, may permit certain transactions not permitted by the DWS funds’ policies, or prohibit transactions not subject to the DWS funds’ policies.
The Advisor may also accept undertakings from a financial intermediary to enforce short-term or excessive trading policies on behalf of a fund that provide a substantially similar level of protection for each fund against such transactions. For example, certain financial intermediaries may have contractual, legal or operational restrictions that prevent them from blocking an account. In such instances, the financial intermediary may use alternate techniques that the Advisor considers to be a reasonable substitute for such a block.
In addition, if a fund invests some portion of its assets in foreign securities, it has adopted certain fair valuation practices intended to protect the fund from “time zone arbitrage” with respect to its foreign securities holdings and other trading practices that seek to exploit variations in portfolio valuation that arise from the nature of the securities held by a fund. (See “How each Fund Calculates Share Price.”)
There is no assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective in limiting short-term and excessive trading in all cases. For example, the Advisor may not be able to effectively monitor, detect or limit short-term or excessive trading by underlying shareholders that occurs through omnibus accounts maintained by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. The Advisor reviews trading activity at the omnibus level to detect short-term or excessive trading. If the Advisor has reason to suspect that short-term or excessive trading is occurring at the omnibus level, the Advisor will contact the financial intermediary to request underlying shareholder level activity. Depending on the amount of fund shares held in such omnibus accounts (which may represent most of a fund’s shares) short-term and/or excessive trading of fund shares could
Prospectus February 1, 2023
71
Investing in the Funds

adversely affect long-term shareholders in a fund. If short-term or excessive trading is identified, the Advisor will take appropriate action.
Each fund’s market timing policies and procedures may be modified or terminated at any time.
The automated information line is available 24 hours a day by calling DWS at the telephone number on the back cover. You can use our automated telephone service to get information on DWS funds generally and on accounts held directly at DWS. You can also use this service to request share transactions.
24 hour access via Internet and mobile. By registering your fund accounts online at dws.com or by downloading and registering on the mobile app, you can:
access account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
view your account balances,
buy, exchange and sell fund shares,
access transaction history, statements and tax forms,
update personal information, and
make certain account elections including delivery preferences.
Purchase and redemption orders may be placed at any time, but will only be processed during normal business hours on business days, as detailed in this prospectus. Not all transactions are eligible for processing online or through the mobile app. The ability to open new accounts online or through the mobile app is available only to accounts that are established directly with each fund’s transfer agent, and is limited to certain account types and share classes. Processing certain transactions or opening certain types of accounts may require you to obtain, complete and mail the appropriate form.
When registering online at dws.com or through the mobile app, you will be asked to accept certain terms and conditions, create a user profile and establish a password. The same user profile and password will provide both online and mobile app access. Accessing your fund account and transacting online or through the mobile app requires the transmission of personal financial information over the Internet and/or a mobile data network, and is not without risk. Digital communication channels such as those described above are not necessarily secure and are subject to the risk, among others, that any confidential or sensitive information that you send or view may be intercepted or accessed by a third party and subsequently sold or used, including for instance, to gain access to your fund account and redeem shares. We recommend that you take steps to protect your account information, including the use of a secure Internet browser, keeping user IDs and passwords confidential, and taking steps to restrict access to your computer and mobile devices. As long as we follow reasonable security procedures and act on instructions that we reasonably believe are genuine, we will not
be responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests. Each fund may modify, suspend, or terminate online or mobile account access or services at any time.
During periods of extreme volume that may result from dramatic economic or stock market events, it is possible that you may have difficulty accessing your account online or using the mobile app. Your online account and/or the mobile app may be unavailable during certain periods due to unforeseen technology issues or for other reasons such as routine maintenance or updates. If you are unable to access your account online or using the mobile app you can reach DWS by mail or by telephone (see contact information on the back cover).
Telephone transactions. Generally, you are automatically entitled to telephone redemption and exchange privileges, but you may elect not to have them when you open your account (paper applications only) or by calling the appropriate telephone number on the back cover.
Transactions by telephone are not without risk. We recommend that you take steps to protect your account information. As long as we follow reasonable security procedures and act on instructions received over the telephone that we reasonably believe are genuine, we will not be responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests.
During periods of extreme volume that may result from dramatic economic or stock market events or due to unforeseen technology issues, it is possible that you may have difficulty reaching DWS by phone. If you are unable to reach us by phone you may be able to view account information or request transactions online or using the mobile app, or you can mail inquiries to the address on the back cover.
Responsibility for fraud. Each fund and its service providers, including DWS, shall not be liable for any loss incurred by reason of a fund accepting unauthorized transaction requests for your account if the fund reasonably believes the instructions to be genuine. In order to safeguard your account, you should keep all account information private and review all confirmation statements and other account-related communications as soon as you receive them. We will consider all transactions to be properly processed if discrepancies are not reported promptly. Contact us immediately if you suspect that someone has gained unauthorized access to your account. The DWS Account Security Program provides further information on how you can protect your account. Visit the Investor Resource Center at dws.com for more information.
Each fund does not issue share certificates. However, if you currently have shares in certificated form, you must include the share certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock power when exchanging
Prospectus February 1, 2023
72
Investing in the Funds

or redeeming shares. You may not exchange or redeem shares in certificate form by telephone, via the Internet or using the mobile app.
When you ask us to send or receive a wire, please note that while we don’t charge a fee to send or receive wires, it’s possible that your bank may do so. Wire transactions are generally completed within 24 hours. Each fund can only send wires of $1,000 or more and accept wires of $50 or more.
Each fund accepts payment for shares only in US dollars by a check drawn on a US bank, a bank or Federal Funds wire transfer or an electronic bank transfer. Each fund does not accept third party checks. A third party check is a check made payable to one or more parties and offered as payment to one or more other parties (e.g., a check made payable to you that you offer as payment to someone else). Checks should be payable to “DWS Funds” and drawn by you or a financial institution on your behalf with your name or account number included with the check. If you pay for shares by check and the check fails to clear, we have the right to cancel your order, hold you liable or charge you or your account for any losses or fees each fund or its agents have incurred.
Signature Guarantee. When you want to sell more than $100,000 worth of shares or send proceeds to a third party or to a new address, you’ll usually need to place your order in writing and have your signature guaranteed. However, if you want money transferred electronically to a bank account that is already on file with us, you don’t need a signature guarantee (but other limits may apply). Also, generally you don’t need a signature guarantee for an exchange, although we may require one in certain other circumstances.
A signature guarantee is a certification of your signature — a valuable safeguard against fraud. Each fund accepts Medallion Signature Guarantees, which can be obtained from an eligible guarantor. Eligible guarantor institutions include commercial banks, savings and loans, trust companies, credit unions, member firms of a national stock exchange or any member or participant of an approved signature guarantor program. A signature guarantee cannot be provided by a notary public.
Selling shares of trust accounts and business or organization accounts may require additional documentation. Please call DWS (see telephone number on the back cover) or contact your financial representative for more information.
When you sell shares that have a CDSC, the CDSC is based on the original purchase cost or current market value of the shares sold, whichever is less. In processing orders to sell shares, the shares with the lowest CDSC are sold first. For each investment you make, we use the first day of the month in which you bought shares to calculate a CDSC on that particular investment. A CDSC is not imposed when you exchange from one fund into another,
however, shares of the fund acquired in an exchange that were subject to a CDSC at the time of the exchange will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule of the shares of the fund you originally purchased.
If you sell shares in a DWS fund for which you paid a sales charge and then decide to invest with DWS again within six months, you may be able to take advantage of the “reinstatement feature.” With this feature, you can put your money back into the same class of a DWS fund at its current net asset value and, for purposes of a sales charge, it will be treated as if it had never left DWS (this may result in a tax liability for federal income tax purposes). You'll be reimbursed (in the form of fund shares by the Distributor) for any CDSC you paid when you sold shares in a DWS fund. Future CDSC calculations will be based on your original investment date, rather than your reinstatement date.
You can only use the reinstatement feature once for any given group of shares. To take advantage of this feature, contact Shareholder Services or your financial representative.
Class A to Institutional Class in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Investors who have invested in Class A shares through a comprehensive or “wrap” fee program or other fee-based program sponsored by a broker-dealer, bank or registered investment adviser or who are transferring to such a program may potentially become eligible to invest in Institutional Class shares by reason of their participation in such a program. In such event, subject to the discretion of the Distributor and the limitations noted below, such shareholders may exchange their Class A shares for Institutional Class shares of equal aggregate value of the same fund. No sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchange. Exchanges under this privilege will generally be processed only as part of a pre-arranged, multiple-client transaction through the particular financial services firm offering the comprehensive or wrap program or other fee-based program where the Institutional Class shares are available. DDI may agree with financial intermediaries to allow this exchange privilege outside of pre-arranged, multiple-client transactions. Investors should contact their selling and/or servicing agents to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class A shares of a fund for Institutional Class shares of the same fund.
Class A to Class S in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Investors who have invested in Class A shares through a comprehensive or “wrap” fee program or other fee-based program sponsored by a broker-dealer, bank or registered investment adviser or who are transferring to such a program may become eligible to invest in Class S shares. Subject to the discretion of the Distributor, such shareholders may exchange their Class A shares for Class S shares of equal aggregate value of the same fund.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
73
Investing in the Funds

No sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchanges. Investors should contact their selling and/or servicing agents to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class A shares of a fund for Class S shares of the same fund.
Class C to Class A, Class S or Institutional Class in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Investors who either (i) have invested in Class C shares through a comprehensive or “wrap” fee program or other fee-based program sponsored by a broker-dealer, bank or registered investment adviser or (ii) have invested in Class C shares and are in the process of transferring their shares to such a program may potentially become eligible to invest in either Class A shares, Class S shares or Institutional Class shares by reason of their participation in such a program. In addition, investors who have invested in Class C shares as part of an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan or an Employer-Sponsored IRA may potentially become eligible to invest in Class A shares by reason of their investment in such Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan or Employer-Sponsored IRA. In such event, subject to the discretion of the Distributor and the limitations noted below, such shareholders may exchange their Class C shares for Class A shares, Class S shares or Institutional Class shares (as applicable) of equal aggregate value of the same fund. No sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchange. Exchanges under this privilege will generally be processed only in instances where the accounts are not currently subject to a CDSC and only as part of a pre-arranged, multiple-client transaction through the particular financial services firm offering the comprehensive or wrap program or other fee-based program or involving the Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan or Employer-Sponsored IRA where the Class A shares, Class S shares or Institutional Class shares (as applicable) are available. DDI may agree with financial intermediaries to allow this exchange privilege for accounts currently subject to a CDSC and outside of pre-arranged, multiple-client transactions. In such situations, the financial intermediary may reimburse DDI for a portion of any CDSC that DDI would have otherwise collected on the transaction or a portion of the distribution fees previously advanced by DDI to the financial intermediary in connection with the initial sale of the Class C shares. Investors should contact their selling and/or servicing agents to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class C shares of a fund for Class A shares, Class S shares or Institutional Class shares of the same fund.
Class S to Institutional Class in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Investors who have invested in Class S shares through a comprehensive or “wrap” fee program or other fee-based program sponsored by a broker-dealer, bank or registered investment adviser or who are
transferring to such a program may potentially become eligible to invest in Institutional Class shares by reason of their participation in such a program. In such event, subject to the discretion of the Distributor and the limitations noted below, such shareholders may exchange their Class S shares for Institutional Class shares of equal aggregate value of the same fund. No sales charges or other charges will apply to any such exchange. Exchanges under this privilege will generally be processed only as part of a pre-arranged, multiple-client transaction through the particular financial services firm offering the comprehensive or wrap program or other fee-based program where the Institutional Class shares are available. DDI may agree with financial intermediaries to allow this exchange privilege outside of pre-arranged, multiple-client transactions. Investors should contact their selling and/or servicing agents to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class S shares of a fund for Institutional Class shares of the same fund.
Class S or Institutional Class to Class A in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Exchanges by a financial intermediary of Class S or Institutional Class shares for Class A shares of the same fund are allowed without the imposition of a sales charge in connection with a change in account type or otherwise in accordance with the intermediary’s policies and procedures that renders a shareholder ineligible for Class S or Institutional Class shares. The availability of this exchange privilege and sales charge waiver depends on the policies, procedures and trading platforms of the intermediary. Investors should contact their financial intermediary to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class S or Institutional Class shares of a fund for Class A shares of the same fund.
Class A, Class R, Class S or Institutional Class to Class R6 in the Same Fund Exchange Privilege. Investors who have invested in Class A, Class R, Class S or Institutional Class shares through either a retirement plan platform or a college savings plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code with plan-level or omnibus accounts held on the books of the fund may potentially become eligible to invest in Class R6 shares by reason of their participation in such plans. Exchanges under this privilege are subject to the discretion of the Distributor and will be processed only as part of a prearranged, plan-level transaction with a qualifying plan program or college savings plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. If an exchange by a qualifying plan program or a college savings plan under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code is approved, investors holding Class A, Class R, Class S or Institutional Class shares through such plan will exchange those shares for Class R6 shares of equal aggregate value of the same fund. No sales charges
Prospectus February 1, 2023
74
Investing in the Funds

or other charges will apply to any such exchange. Investors should contact their plan servicing agents to learn more about the details of this exchange feature. Shareholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of Class A, Class R, Class S or Institutional Class shares of a fund for Class R6 shares of the same fund.
Institutional Class Exchange Privilege. The following persons may, subject to certain limitations, exchange Institutional Class shares for DWS Money Market Fund shares of DWS Money Market Prime Series: (1) a current or former director or trustee of DWS mutual funds; and (2) an employee, the employee’s spouse or life partner and children or stepchildren age 21 or younger of Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates or a subadvisor to any fund in the DWS mutual fund family or a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of the DWS mutual funds.
Money from shares you sell is normally sent out within one business day of when your request is received in good order, regardless of the method of payment (e.g., check, wire, ACH) although it could be delayed for up to seven days. There are circumstances when it could be longer, including, but not limited to, when you are selling shares you bought recently by check or ACH (the funds will be placed under a 10 calendar day hold to ensure good funds) or when unusual circumstances prompt the SEC to allow further delays. Certain expedited redemption processes (e.g., redemption proceeds by wire) may also be delayed or unavailable when you are selling shares recently purchased or in the event of the closing of the Federal Reserve wire payment system.
Redemptions will generally be in the form of cash, though a fund reserves the right to redeem in kind (as described under “Other Rights We Reserve”). Each fund typically expects to satisfy redemption requests by using available cash or by selling portfolio securities if available cash is not sufficient to meet redemptions. Each fund may utilize an existing line of credit for temporary coverage in the event of a cash shortfall. Each fund may also utilize inter-fund lending, though such use is expected to be rare. Each fund may use any of these methods of satisfying redemption requests under normal or stressed market conditions. During periods of distressed market conditions, when a significant portion of a fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid and/or illiquid investments, a fund may be more likely to pay redemption proceeds by giving you securities.
Each fund reserves the right to suspend or postpone redemptions as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Generally, those circumstances are when 1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings; 2) the SEC determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted; 3) the SEC determines that an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a fund or the fair determination of
the value of a fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or 4) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption. Redemption payments by wire may also be delayed in the event of a non-routine closure of the Federal Reserve wire payment system. For additional rights reserved by each fund, please see “Other Rights We Reserve.”
How each Fund Calculates Share Price
To calculate net asset value, or NAV, each share class uses the following equation:
(
Total
Assets
Total
Liabilities
)
÷
Total Number of
Shares Outstanding
=
NAV
The price at which you buy shares is based on the NAV per share calculated after the order is received and accepted by the transfer agent, although for Class A shares it will be adjusted to allow for any applicable sales charge (see “Choosing a Share Class”). The price at which you sell shares is also based on the NAV per share calculated after the order is received and accepted by the transfer agent, although a CDSC may be taken out of the proceeds (see “Choosing a Share Class”). To obtain the fund's most recent share price, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.
The Board has designated the Advisor as the valuation designee for each fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Advisor’s Pricing Committee typically values securities using readily available market quotations or prices supplied by independent pricing services (which are considered fair values under Rule 2a-5). The Advisor has adopted fair valuation procedures that provide methodologies for fair valuing securities when pricing service prices or market quotations are not readily available, including when a security’s value or a meaningful portion of the value of a fund's portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event, such as a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, or a substantial fluctuation in domestic or foreign markets that has occurred between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) and the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In such a case, a fund’s value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price or pricing service prices. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale.
It is expected that the greater the percentage of fund assets that is invested in non-US securities, the more extensive will be a fund’s use of fair value pricing. This is intended to reduce a fund’s exposure to “time zone arbitrage” and other harmful trading practices. (See “Market timing policies and procedures.”)
Prospectus February 1, 2023
75
Investing in the Funds

To the extent that a fund invests in securities that are traded primarily in foreign markets, the value of its holdings could change at a time when you aren’t able to buy or sell fund shares. This is because some foreign markets are open on days or at times when a fund doesn’t price its shares. (Note that prices for securities that trade on foreign exchanges can change significantly on days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed and you cannot buy or sell fund shares. Price changes in the securities a fund owns may ultimately affect the price of fund shares the next time the NAV is calculated.)
Other Rights We Reserve
You should be aware that we may do any of the following:
withdraw or suspend the offering of shares at any time
withhold a portion of your distributions and redemption proceeds if we have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding, if you fail to provide us with the correct taxpayer ID number and certain certifications, including certification that you are not subject to backup withholding, or if you are otherwise subject to withholding
reject a new account application if you don’t provide any required or requested identifying information, or for any other reason
refuse, cancel, limit or rescind any purchase or exchange order, without prior notice; freeze any account (meaning you will not be able to purchase fund shares in your account); suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem your account if we think that the account is being used for fraudulent or illegal purposes; one or more of these actions will be taken when, at our sole discretion, they are deemed to be in a fund’s best interests or when a fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental authority or by applicable law
close and liquidate your account if we are unable to verify your identity, or for other reasons; if we decide to close your account, your fund shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next calculated after we determine to close your account (less any applicable sales charges or CDSC); you may recognize a gain or loss on the redemption of your fund shares and you may incur a tax liability
pay you for shares you sell by “redeeming in kind,” that is, by giving you securities (which typically will involve brokerage costs for you to liquidate) rather than cash, but which will be taxable to the same extent as a redemption for cash; a fund generally won’t make a redemption in kind unless your requests over a 90-day period total more than $250,000 or 1% of the value of a fund’s net assets, whichever is less
change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies (for example, we may adjust a fund’s investment minimums at any time)
Understanding Distributions and Taxes
Each fund intends to distribute to its shareholders virtually all of its net earnings. Each fund can earn money in two ways: by receiving interest, dividends or other income from investments it holds and by selling investments for more than it paid for them. (Each fund’s earnings are separate from any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase and sale of fund shares.) Each fund may not always pay a dividend or other distribution for a given period.
Income dividends are declared daily and paid monthly for DWS Global High Income Fund and DWS Short Duration Fund. Income dividends are declared and paid monthly for DWS GNMA Fund and DWS High Income Fund. Short-term and long-term capital gains are paid in November or December, or otherwise as needed.
Dividends declared and payable to shareholders of record in the last quarter of a given calendar year are treated for federal income tax purposes as if they were received by shareholders and paid by the fund on December 31 of that year, if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year.
For federal income tax purposes, income and capital gain dividends are generally taxable to shareholders. However, dividends, regardless of character, received by retirement plans qualifying for tax exemption under federal income tax laws generally will not be currently taxable.
You can choose how to receive your dividends, whether ordinary or capital gain dividends, and other distributions. You can have them all automatically reinvested in fund shares (at NAV), all deposited directly to your bank account or all sent to you by check, have one type reinvested and the other sent to you by check or have them invested in a different fund. Tell us your preference on your application. If you don’t indicate a preference, your dividends and distributions will all be reinvested in shares of the fund without a sales charge (if applicable). Dividends and distributions are treated the same for federal income tax purposes whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.
Buying, selling or exchanging fund shares will usually have federal income tax consequences for you (except in employer-sponsored qualified plans, IRAs or other tax-advantaged accounts). Your sale of shares may result in a capital gain or loss. The gain or loss will generally be long-term or short-term depending on how long you owned the shares that were sold. Your ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange is treated the same as a sale. In addition, if shares are redeemed to pay any account fees (e.g., an account maintenance fee), you may incur a tax liability.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
76
Investing in the Funds

The federal income tax status of a fund’s earnings you receive and transactions involving your shares generally depends on their type:
Generally taxed at net capital
gain rates:
Generally taxed at ordinary
income rates:
Fund distributions
 
gains from the sale of securi-
ties held (or treated as held)
by a fund for more than one
year
qualified dividend income
gains from the sale of securi-
ties held (or treated as held)
by a fund for one year or less
all other taxable income
Transactions involving fund
shares
 
gains from selling fund
shares held for more than
one year
gains from selling fund
shares held for one year or
less
Any direct investments in foreign securities by a fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, a fund’s yield on those securities would generally be decreased. Each fund may elect to pass through to its shareholders a credit or deduction for foreign taxes it has paid if at the end of its fiscal year more than 50% of the value of the fund's total assets consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations. If this election is made, shareholders will generally be able to claim a credit or deduction (subject to certain limitations) on their federal income tax return for, and will be required to include in gross income as a distribution from the fund, their pro rata portion of the income taxes paid by the fund to foreign countries. In addition, any investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate a fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund’s distributions. If you invest in a fund through a taxable account, your after-tax return could be negatively affected.
Investments in certain debt obligations or other securities may cause a fund to recognize income in excess of the cash generated by them. Thus, a fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements.
Each fund's use of derivatives, if any, may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
Distributions to individuals and other non-corporate shareholders of investment income reported by a fund as derived from qualified dividend income are eligible for taxation for federal income tax purposes at the more favorable net capital gain rates. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends received by a fund from domestic and some foreign corporations. It does not include income from investments in debt securities or, generally, from real estate investment trusts. In addition, a fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding
period and other requirements with respect to a fund’s shares for the lower tax rates to apply. None of the funds expect to make distributions that constitute qualified dividend income.
Your fund will send you detailed federal income tax information early each year. These statements tell you the amount and the federal income tax classification of any dividends or distributions you received. They also have certain details on your purchases and sales of shares.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For this purpose, net investment income generally includes taxable dividends, including any capital gain dividends paid by a fund, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of a fund.
If you invest right before a fund pays a dividend, you’ll be getting some of your investment back as a dividend, which may be taxable to you. You can avoid this by investing after a fund pays a dividend. In tax-advantaged accounts you generally do not need to worry about this.
If a fund’s distributions exceed its current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in your shares and thereafter as a capital gain. Because a return of capital distribution reduces the basis of your shares, a return of capital distribution may result in a higher capital gain or a lower capital loss when you sell your shares held in a taxable account.
Corporations are taxed at the same rates on ordinary income and capital gains but may be eligible for a dividends received deduction to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by a fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met.
None of the funds expect to make distributions eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Because each shareholder's tax situation is unique, ask your tax professional about the tax consequences of your investment, including any state and local tax consequences. Special tax rules apply to individuals investing through tax-advantaged investment plans. Please consult your own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in a fund through such plan.
The above discussion summarizes certain federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are US persons. If you are a non-US person, please consult your own tax advisor with respect to the US and foreign tax consequences to you of an investment in a fund. For more information, see “Taxes” in the Statement of Additional Information.
Prospectus February 1, 2023
77
Investing in the Funds

Financial Highlights
The financial highlights are designed to help you understand recent financial performance. The figures in the first part of each table are for a single share. The total return figures represent the percentage that an investor in a fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested. This information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, whose report, along with each fund’s financial statements, is included in each fund’s annual report (see “Shareholder reports” on the back cover). For DWS GNMA Fund, DWS Global High Income Fund and DWS Short Duration Fund, the information prior to fiscal year 2019 was audited by another independent registered public accounting firm.
DWS GNMA Fund — Class A
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.68
$13.88
$13.81
$13.22
$13.72
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.06
.06
.21
.32
.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.95)
(.07)
.17
.64
(.42)
Total from investment operations
(1.89)
(.01)
.38
.96
(.17)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.14)
(.19)
(.31)
(.37)
(.33)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.65
$13.68
$13.88
$13.81
$13.22
Total Return (%)b
(13.87)
(.10)
2.75
7.40
(1.23)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
406
546
587
623
663
Ratio of expenses (%)
.81
.78
.79
.79
.81
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.49
.44
1.54
2.37
1.88
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 78 Financial Highlights

DWS GNMA Fund — Class C
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.68
$13.89
$13.81
$13.22
$13.73
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)a
(.03)
(.04)
.10
.21
.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.95)
(.09)
.18
.65
(.43)
Total from investment operations
(1.98)
(.13)
.28
.86
(.28)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.04)
(.08)
(.20)
(.27)
(.23)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.66
$13.68
$13.89
$13.81
$13.22
Total Return (%)b
(14.49)
(.97)
1.94
6.62
(2.07)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
5
6
18
21
26
Ratio of expenses (%)
1.55
1.60
1.58
1.57
1.60
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
(.26)
(.31)
.75
1.59
1.08
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 79 Financial Highlights

DWS GNMA Fund — Class R
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.70
$13.91
$13.82
$13.24
$13.74
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.00*
.01
.17
.27
.21
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.93)
(.08)
.18
.64
(.42)
Total from investment operations
(1.93)
(.07)
.35
.91
(.21)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.10)
(.14)
(.26)
(.33)
(.29)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.67
$13.70
$13.91
$13.82
$13.24
Total Return (%)b
(14.16)
(.52)
2.48
7.03
(1.55)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
.3
1
1
1
2
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.21
1.21
1.17
1.22
1.25
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.13
1.16
1.12
1.13
1.15
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.03
.07
1.24
2.03
1.53
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
*
Amount is less than $.005.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 80 Financial Highlights

DWS GNMA Fund — Class R6
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.70
$13.90
$13.82
$13.23
$13.73
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.11
.10
.25
.36
.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.96)
(.07)
.18
.64
(.39)
Total from investment operations
(1.85)
.03
.43
1.00
(.14)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.19)
(.23)
(.35)
(.41)
(.36)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.66
$13.70
$13.90
$13.82
$13.23
Total Return (%)
(13.65)
.21
3.15
7.71
(1.05)b
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)
729
929
824
658
557
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.48
.46
.47
.48
.49
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.48
.46
.47
.48
.49
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.82
.75
1.81
2.67
1.91
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 81 Financial Highlights

DWS GNMA Fund — Institutional Class
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.69
$13.89
$13.81
$13.22
$13.73
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.09
.09
.23
.35
.28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.95)
(.07)
.19
.64
(.43)
Total from investment operations
(1.86)
.02
.42
.99
(.15)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.17)
(.22)
(.34)
(.40)
(.36)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.66
$13.69
$13.89
$13.81
$13.22
Total Return (%)
(13.74)
.15
3.01
7.72
(1.08)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
19
46
56
14
19
Ratio of expenses (%)
.55
.56
.52
.54
.58
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.67
.66
1.68
2.63
2.10
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 82 Financial Highlights

DWS GNMA Fund — Class S
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.70
$13.91
$13.83
$13.24
$13.75
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.09
.09
.25
.35
.29
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.95)
(.08)
.17
.65
(.44)
Total from investment operations
(1.86)
.01
.42
1.00
(.15)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.17)
(.22)
(.34)
(.41)
(.36)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.67
$13.70
$13.91
$13.83
$13.24
Total Return (%)
(13.67)
.05
3.07
7.64
(1.07)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
504
681
789
845
905
Ratio of expenses (%)
.58
.57
.55
.56
.57
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.72
.66
1.79
2.60
2.12
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
532
539
369
317
396
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 83 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Class A
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.84
$4.65
$4.75
$4.67
$4.81
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.20
.20
.21
.23
.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.21
(.09)
.09
(.13)
Total from investment operations
(.58)
.41
.12
.32
.11
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.22)
(.22)
(.22)
(.24)
(.25)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.04
$4.84
$4.65
$4.75
$4.67
Total Return (%)b
(12.38)
8.84
2.72
7.10
2.31
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
444
579
588
646
692
Ratio of expenses (%)
.96
.94
.95
.96
.95
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.34
4.21
4.60
4.90
5.06
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 84 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Class C
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
$4.82
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.16
.17
.18
.19
.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.20
(.10)
.10
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.62)
.37
.08
.29
.06
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.18)
(.18)
(.18)
(.20)
(.21)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.05
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
Total Return (%)b
(13.04)c
7.97
1.91
6.26
1.31
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
6
9
16
22
30
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.76
1.73
1.74
1.74
1.70
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.75
1.73
1.74
1.74
1.70
Ratio of net investment income (%)
3.52
3.44
3.80
4.13
4.30
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 85 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Class R
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.84
$4.65
$4.75
$4.66
$4.81
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.18
.19
.20
.21
.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.20
(.10)
.10
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.60)
.39
.10
.31
.08
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.20)
(.20)
(.20)
(.22)
(.23)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.04
$4.84
$4.65
$4.75
$4.66
Total Return (%)b
(12.66)
8.49
2.38
6.73
1.73
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
2
1
3
1.5
.9
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.38
1.37
1.33
1.37
1.40
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.25
1.27
1.27
1.29
1.30
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.11
3.89
4.28
4.55
4.71
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 86 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Class R6
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.84
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
$4.82
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.21
.21
.22
.24
.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.20
(.09)
.10
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.57)
.41
.13
.34
.11
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.23)
(.23)
(.23)
(.25)
(.26)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.04
$4.84
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
Total Return (%)
(12.11)
8.91
3.01
7.39
2.37
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)
662
698
150
101
46
Ratio of expenses (%)
.66
.65
.69
.69
.70
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.65
4.43
4.85
5.14
5.31
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 87 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Institutional Class
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
$4.82
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.21
.21
.22
.24
.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.21
(.09)
.10
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.57)
.42
.13
.34
.11
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.23)
(.23)
(.23)
(.25)
(.26)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.05
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
Total Return (%)
(12.15)
9.09
2.96
7.35
2.34
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
85
171
154
104
80
Ratio of expenses (%)
.71
.73
.71
.73
.72
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.54
4.41
4.82
5.11
5.28
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 88 Financial Highlights

DWS High Income Fund — Class S
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
$4.82
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.21
.21
.22
.24
.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.78)
.21
(.09)
.10
(.15)
Total from investment operations
(.57)
.42
.13
.34
.10
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.23)
(.23)
(.23)
(.25)
(.25)
Net asset value, end of period
$4.05
$4.85
$4.66
$4.76
$4.67
Total Return (%)
(12.17)b
9.05b
2.91
7.27
2.26
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
38
38
32
25
22
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.78
.78
.76
.76
.79
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.75
.77
.76
.76
.79
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.57
4.38
4.77
5.09
5.20
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
37
68
97
77
64
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 89 Financial Highlights

DWS Global High Income Fund — Class A
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$6.92
$6.71
$6.88
$6.63
$6.94
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.29
.29
.31
.32
.33
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.04)
.22
(.15)
.31
(.31)
Total from investment operations
(.75)
.51
.16
.63
.02
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.29)
(.30)
(.29)
(.32)
(.33)
Net realized gains
(.03)
(.02)
(.06)
Return of capital
(.02)
Total distributions
(.32)
(.30)
(.33)
(.38)
(.33)
Net asset value, end of period
$5.85
$6.92
$6.71
$6.88
$6.63
Total Return (%)b,c
(11.06)
7.63
2.44
9.94
.31
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
28
35
32
35
34
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.94
.92
.94
.95
.94
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.55
4.15
4.50
4.81
4.85
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
25
69
92
74
73
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 90 Financial Highlights

DWS Global High Income Fund — Class C
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$6.95
$6.74
$6.91
$6.65
$6.97
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.24
.24
.26
.27
.28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.04)
.22
(.15)
.32
(.32)
Total from investment operations
(.80)
.46
.11
.59
(.04)
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.25)
(.25)
(.25)
(.27)
(.28)
Net realized gains
(.03)
(.02)
(.06)
Return of capital
(.01)
Total distributions
(.28)
(.25)
(.28)
(.33)
(.28)
Net asset value, end of period
$5.87
$6.95
$6.74
$6.91
$6.65
Total Return (%)b,c
(11.79)
6.81
1.69
9.27
(.57)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
13
19
22
20
21
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.67
1.67
1.67
1.71
1.71
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.60
1.60
1.60
1.60
1.60
Ratio of net investment income (%)
3.78
3.41
3.75
4.06
4.10
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
25
69
92
74
73
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 91 Financial Highlights

DWS Global High Income Fund — Class R6
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$6.89
$6.68
$6.86
$6.60
$6.92
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.31
.31
.33
.34
.35
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.04)
.22
(.16)
.32
(.32)
Total from investment operations
(.73)
.53
.17
.66
.03
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.31)
(.32)
(.31)
(.34)
(.35)
Net realized gains
(.03)
(.02)
(.06)
Return of capital
(.02)
Total distributions
(.34)
(.32)
(.35)
(.40)
(.35)
Net asset value, end of period
$5.82
$6.89
$6.68
$6.86
$6.60
Total Return (%)b
(10.84)
7.95
2.60
10.44
.44
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
1
2
3
2
1
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.58
.60
1.06
.61
.60
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.55
.55
.55
.55
.55
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.85
4.48
4.80
5.07
5.18
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
25
69
92
74
73
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 92 Financial Highlights

DWS Global High Income Fund — Institutional Class
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$6.90
$6.69
$6.86
$6.60
$6.92
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.30
.30
.32
.34
.35
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.03)
.22
(.15)
.32
(.32)
Total from investment operations
(.73)
.52
.17
.66
.03
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.31)
(.31)
(.30)
(.34)
(.35)
Net realized gains
(.03)
(.02)
(.06)
Return of capital
(.02)
Total distributions
(.34)
(.31)
(.34)
(.40)
(.35)
Net asset value, end of period
$5.83
$6.90
$6.69
$6.86
$6.60
Total Return (%)b
(10.86)
7.91
2.70
10.40
.40
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
183
379
317
139
60
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.67
.67
.68
.69
.68
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.75
4.40
4.74
4.99
5.10
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
25
69
92
74
73
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 93 Financial Highlights

DWS Global High Income Fund — Class S
 
Years Ended October 31,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$6.96
$6.75
$6.92
$6.66
$6.98
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.30
.30
.32
.34
.35
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(1.04)
.22
(.15)
.32
(.32)
Total from investment operations
(.74)
.52
.17
.66
.03
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.31)
(.31)
(.30)
(.34)
(.35)
Net realized gains
(.03)
(.02)
(.06)
Return of capital
(.02)
Total distributions
(.34)
(.31)
(.34)
(.40)
(.35)
Net asset value, end of period
$5.88
$6.96
$6.75
$6.92
$6.66
Total Return (%)b
(10.92)
7.82
2.66
10.30
.38
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
147
210
239
304
298
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.74
.74
.74
.76
.77
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.65
.65
.65
.65
.65
Ratio of net investment income (%)
4.73
4.35
4.70
5.00
5.05
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
25
69
92
74
73
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 94 Financial Highlights

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class A
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.81
$8.78
$8.69
$8.54
$8.69
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.14
.15
.19
.21
.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.69)
.05
.11
.18
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.55)
.20
.30
.39
.06
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.18)
(.17)
(.21)
(.24)
(.21)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.08
$8.81
$8.78
$8.69
$8.54
Total Return (%)b,c
(6.32)
2.32
3.50
4.64
.73
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
215
275
262
227
149
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.85
.85
.85
.87
.88
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.75
.78
.77
.79
.79
Ratio of net investment income (%)
1.68
1.64
2.20
2.48
2.29
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
41
62
75
51
40
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 95 Financial Highlights

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class C
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.81
$8.77
$8.68
$8.53
$8.68
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.08
.08
.12
.15
.13
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.70)
.06
.11
.18
(.13)
Total from investment operations
(.62)
.14
.23
.33
.00*
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.11)
(.10)
(.14)
(.18)
(.15)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.08
$8.81
$8.77
$8.68
$8.53
Total Return (%)b,c
(7.06)
1.63
2.72
3.87
(.03)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
11
20
33
53
63
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.61
1.59
1.60
1.63
1.63
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.50
1.53
1.52
1.54
1.54
Ratio of net investment income (%)
.90
.92
1.44
1.74
1.53
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
41
62
75
51
40
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
c
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
*
Amount is less than $.005.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 96 Financial Highlights

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class R6
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.82
$8.79
$8.70
$8.55
$8.70
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.17
.17
.21
.24
.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.70)
.06
.11
.17
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.53)
.23
.32
.41
.08
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.20)
(.20)
(.23)
(.26)
(.23)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.09
$8.82
$8.79
$8.70
$8.55
Total Return (%)
(6.02)b
2.61b
3.76
4.90
.98b
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
2
2
2
2
.139
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.51
.51
.52
.53
.57
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.46
.51
.52
.53
.54
Ratio of net investment income (%)
1.99
1.91
2.45
2.77
2.52
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
41
62
75
51
40
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 97 Financial Highlights

DWS Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.82
$8.78
$8.70
$8.55
$8.70
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.17
.17
.21
.24
.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.69)
.07
.10
.17
(.14)
Total from investment operations
(.52)
.24
.31
.41
.08
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.21)
(.20)
(.23)
(.26)
(.23)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.09
$8.82
$8.78
$8.70
$8.55
Total Return (%)b
(6.02)
2.70
3.64
4.90
.98
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
522
634
435
223
129
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.60
.60
.61
.61
.64
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.46
.53
.52
.54
.54
Ratio of net investment income (%)
1.98
1.88
2.45
2.74
2.55
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
41
62
75
51
40
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 98 Financial Highlights

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class S
 
Years Ended September 30,
 
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.84
$8.80
$8.71
$8.56
$8.72
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment incomea
.17
.17
.21
.24
.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(.71)
.07
.11
.17
(.15)
Total from investment operations
(.54)
.24
.32
.41
.07
Less distributions from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(.20)
(.20)
(.23)
(.26)
(.23)
Net asset value, end of period
$8.10
$8.84
$8.80
$8.71
$8.56
Total Return (%)b
(6.16)
2.70
3.75
4.90
.87
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
311
377
376
554
552
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.68
.66
.66
.68
.69
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.50
.53
.52
.54
.54
Ratio of net investment income (%)
1.94
1.89
2.44
2.74
2.55
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
41
62
75
51
40
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 99 Financial Highlights

Appendix A
Hypothetical Expense Summary
Using the annual fund operating expense ratios presented in the fee tables in the fund’s prospectus, the Hypothetical Expense Summary shows the estimated fees and expenses, in actual dollars, that would be charged on a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the fund held for the next 10 years and the impact of such fees and expenses on fund returns for each year and cumulatively, assuming a 5% return for each year. The historical rate of return for the fund may be higher or lower than 5% and, for money market funds, is typically less than 5%. The tables also assume that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The annual fund expense ratios shown are net of any contractual fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any, for the period of the contractual commitment. The tables reflect the maximum initial sales charge, if any, but do not reflect any contingent deferred sales charge, if any, which may be payable upon redemption. If contingent deferred sales charges were shown, the “Hypothetical Year-End Balance After Fees and Expenses” amounts
shown would be lower and the “Annual Fees and Expenses” amounts shown would be higher. Also, please note that if you are investing through a third party provider, that provider may have fees and expenses separate from those of the fund that are not reflected here. Mutual fund fees and expenses fluctuate over time and actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Hypothetical Expense Summary for Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See “Class C Shares” in the “Choosing a Share Class” section of the prospectus for more information. The Hypothetical Expense Summary should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation or endorsement of any specific mutual fund. You should carefully review the fund’s prospectus to consider the investment objective, risks, expenses and charges of the fund prior to investing.
DWS GNMA Fund — Class A
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
2.75%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.81%
1.32%
$10,132.48
$355.42
2
10.25%
0.81%
5.57%
$10,557.03
$83.79
3
15.76%
0.81%
9.99%
$10,999.37
$87.30
4
21.55%
0.81%
14.60%
$11,460.24
$90.96
5
27.63%
0.81%
19.40%
$11,940.43
$94.77
6
34.01%
0.81%
24.41%
$12,440.73
$98.74
7
40.71%
0.81%
29.62%
$12,962.00
$102.88
8
47.75%
0.81%
35.05%
$13,505.10
$107.19
9
55.13%
0.81%
40.71%
$14,070.97
$111.68
10
62.89%
0.81%
46.61%
$14,660.54
$116.36
Total
$1,249.09
Prospectus February 1, 2023 100 Appendix A

DWS GNMA Fund — Class C
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.55%
3.45%
$10,345.00
$157.67
2
10.25%
1.55%
7.02%
$10,701.90
$163.11
3
15.76%
1.55%
10.71%
$11,071.12
$168.74
4
21.55%
1.55%
14.53%
$11,453.07
$174.56
5
27.63%
1.55%
18.48%
$11,848.20
$180.58
6
34.01%
1.55%
22.57%
$12,256.97
$186.82
7
40.71%
1.55%
26.80%
$12,679.83
$193.26
8
47.75%
1.55%
31.17%
$13,117.29
$199.93
9
55.13%
0.81%
36.67%
$13,666.90
$108.48
10
62.89%
0.81%
42.40%
$14,239.54
$113.02
Total
$1,646.17
DWS GNMA Fund — Class R
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.12%
3.88%
$10,388.00
$114.17
2
10.25%
1.21%
7.82%
$10,781.71
$128.08
3
15.76%
1.21%
11.90%
$11,190.33
$132.93
4
21.55%
1.21%
16.14%
$11,614.45
$137.97
5
27.63%
1.21%
20.55%
$12,054.63
$143.20
6
34.01%
1.21%
25.12%
$12,511.50
$148.63
7
40.71%
1.21%
29.86%
$12,985.69
$154.26
8
47.75%
1.21%
34.78%
$13,477.85
$160.10
9
55.13%
1.21%
39.89%
$13,988.66
$166.17
10
62.89%
1.21%
45.19%
$14,518.83
$172.47
Total
$1,457.98
Prospectus February 1, 2023 101 Appendix A

DWS GNMA Fund — Class R6
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.48%
4.52%
$10,452.00
$49.08
2
10.25%
0.48%
9.24%
$10,924.43
$51.30
3
15.76%
0.48%
14.18%
$11,418.21
$53.62
4
21.55%
0.48%
19.34%
$11,934.32
$56.05
5
27.63%
0.48%
24.74%
$12,473.75
$58.58
6
34.01%
0.48%
30.38%
$13,037.56
$61.23
7
40.71%
0.48%
36.27%
$13,626.86
$63.99
8
47.75%
0.48%
42.43%
$14,242.79
$66.89
9
55.13%
0.48%
48.87%
$14,886.57
$69.91
10
62.89%
0.48%
55.59%
$15,559.44
$73.07
Total
$603.72
DWS GNMA Fund — Institutional Class
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.55%
4.45%
$10,445.00
$56.22
2
10.25%
0.55%
9.10%
$10,909.80
$58.73
3
15.76%
0.55%
13.95%
$11,395.29
$61.34
4
21.55%
0.55%
19.02%
$11,902.38
$64.07
5
27.63%
0.55%
24.32%
$12,432.03
$66.92
6
34.01%
0.55%
29.85%
$12,985.26
$69.90
7
40.71%
0.55%
35.63%
$13,563.10
$73.01
8
47.75%
0.55%
41.67%
$14,166.66
$76.26
9
55.13%
0.55%
47.97%
$14,797.08
$79.65
10
62.89%
0.55%
54.56%
$15,455.55
$83.19
Total
$689.29
Prospectus February 1, 2023 102 Appendix A

DWS GNMA Fund — Class S
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.58%
4.42%
$10,442.00
$59.28
2
10.25%
0.58%
9.04%
$10,903.54
$61.90
3
15.76%
0.58%
13.85%
$11,385.47
$64.64
4
21.55%
0.58%
18.89%
$11,888.71
$67.50
5
27.63%
0.58%
24.14%
$12,414.19
$70.48
6
34.01%
0.58%
29.63%
$12,962.90
$73.59
7
40.71%
0.58%
35.36%
$13,535.86
$76.85
8
47.75%
0.58%
41.34%
$14,134.14
$80.24
9
55.13%
0.58%
47.59%
$14,758.87
$83.79
10
62.89%
0.58%
54.11%
$15,411.22
$87.49
Total
$725.76
DWS High Income Fund — Class A
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
4.50%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.96%
-0.64%
$9,935.82
$543.53
2
10.25%
0.96%
3.37%
$10,337.23
$97.31
3
15.76%
0.96%
7.55%
$10,754.85
$101.24
4
21.55%
0.96%
11.89%
$11,189.35
$105.33
5
27.63%
0.96%
16.41%
$11,641.40
$109.59
6
34.01%
0.96%
21.12%
$12,111.71
$114.01
7
40.71%
0.96%
26.01%
$12,601.02
$118.62
8
47.75%
0.96%
31.10%
$13,110.10
$123.41
9
55.13%
0.96%
36.40%
$13,639.75
$128.40
10
62.89%
0.96%
41.91%
$14,190.80
$133.59
Total
$1,575.03
Prospectus February 1, 2023 103 Appendix A

DWS High Income Fund — Class C
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.75%
3.25%
$10,325.00
$177.84
2
10.25%
1.76%
6.60%
$10,659.53
$184.66
3
15.76%
1.76%
10.05%
$11,004.90
$190.65
4
21.55%
1.76%
13.61%
$11,361.46
$196.82
5
27.63%
1.76%
17.30%
$11,729.57
$203.20
6
34.01%
1.76%
21.10%
$12,109.61
$209.78
7
40.71%
1.76%
25.02%
$12,501.96
$216.58
8
47.75%
1.76%
29.07%
$12,907.02
$223.60
9
55.13%
0.96%
34.28%
$13,428.47
$126.41
10
62.89%
0.96%
39.71%
$13,970.98
$131.52
Total
$1,861.06
DWS High Income Fund — Class R
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.25%
3.75%
$10,375.00
$127.34
2
10.25%
1.38%
7.51%
$10,750.58
$145.77
3
15.76%
1.38%
11.40%
$11,139.75
$151.04
4
21.55%
1.38%
15.43%
$11,543.00
$156.51
5
27.63%
1.38%
19.61%
$11,960.86
$162.18
6
34.01%
1.38%
23.94%
$12,393.84
$168.05
7
40.71%
1.38%
28.43%
$12,842.50
$174.13
8
47.75%
1.38%
33.07%
$13,307.40
$180.43
9
55.13%
1.38%
37.89%
$13,789.13
$186.97
10
62.89%
1.38%
42.88%
$14,288.29
$193.73
Total
$1,646.15
Prospectus February 1, 2023 104 Appendix A

DWS High Income Fund — Class R6
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.66%
4.34%
$10,434.00
$67.43
2
10.25%
0.66%
8.87%
$10,886.84
$70.36
3
15.76%
0.66%
13.59%
$11,359.32
$73.41
4
21.55%
0.66%
18.52%
$11,852.32
$76.60
5
27.63%
0.66%
23.67%
$12,366.71
$79.92
6
34.01%
0.66%
29.03%
$12,903.42
$83.39
7
40.71%
0.66%
34.63%
$13,463.43
$87.01
8
47.75%
0.66%
40.48%
$14,047.75
$90.79
9
55.13%
0.66%
46.57%
$14,657.42
$94.73
10
62.89%
0.66%
52.94%
$15,293.55
$98.84
Total
$822.48
DWS High Income Fund — Institutional Class
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.71%
4.29%
$10,429.00
$72.52
2
10.25%
0.71%
8.76%
$10,876.40
$75.63
3
15.76%
0.71%
13.43%
$11,343.00
$78.88
4
21.55%
0.71%
18.30%
$11,829.62
$82.26
5
27.63%
0.71%
23.37%
$12,337.11
$85.79
6
34.01%
0.71%
28.66%
$12,866.37
$89.47
7
40.71%
0.71%
34.18%
$13,418.34
$93.31
8
47.75%
0.71%
39.94%
$13,993.98
$97.31
9
55.13%
0.71%
45.94%
$14,594.32
$101.49
10
62.89%
0.71%
52.20%
$15,220.42
$105.84
Total
$882.50
Prospectus February 1, 2023 105 Appendix A

DWS High Income Fund — Class S
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.75%
4.25%
$10,425.00
$76.59
2
10.25%
0.78%
8.65%
$10,864.94
$83.03
3
15.76%
0.78%
13.23%
$11,323.44
$86.53
4
21.55%
0.78%
18.01%
$11,801.28
$90.19
5
27.63%
0.78%
22.99%
$12,299.30
$93.99
6
34.01%
0.78%
28.18%
$12,818.33
$97.96
7
40.71%
0.78%
33.59%
$13,359.26
$102.09
8
47.75%
0.78%
39.23%
$13,923.02
$106.40
9
55.13%
0.78%
45.11%
$14,510.57
$110.89
10
62.89%
0.78%
51.23%
$15,122.92
$115.57
Total
$963.24
DWS Global High Income Fund — Class A
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
4.50%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.85%
-0.54%
$9,946.33
$532.86
2
10.25%
0.94%
3.50%
$10,350.15
$95.39
3
15.76%
0.94%
7.70%
$10,770.36
$99.27
4
21.55%
0.94%
12.08%
$11,207.64
$103.30
5
27.63%
0.94%
16.63%
$11,662.67
$107.49
6
34.01%
0.94%
21.36%
$12,136.17
$111.85
7
40.71%
0.94%
26.29%
$12,628.90
$116.40
8
47.75%
0.94%
31.42%
$13,141.63
$121.12
9
55.13%
0.94%
36.75%
$13,675.19
$126.04
10
62.89%
0.94%
42.30%
$14,230.40
$131.16
Total
$1,544.88
Prospectus February 1, 2023 106 Appendix A

DWS Global High Income Fund — Class C
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.60%
3.40%
$10,340.00
$162.72
2
10.25%
1.67%
6.84%
$10,684.32
$175.55
3
15.76%
1.67%
10.40%
$11,040.11
$181.40
4
21.55%
1.67%
14.08%
$11,407.75
$187.44
5
27.63%
1.67%
17.88%
$11,787.62
$193.68
6
34.01%
1.67%
21.80%
$12,180.15
$200.13
7
40.71%
1.67%
25.86%
$12,585.75
$206.80
8
47.75%
1.67%
30.05%
$13,004.86
$213.68
9
55.13%
0.94%
35.33%
$13,532.85
$124.73
10
62.89%
0.94%
40.82%
$14,082.29
$129.79
Total
$1,775.92
DWS Global High Income Fund — Class R6
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.55%
4.45%
$10,445.00
$56.22
2
10.25%
0.58%
9.07%
$10,906.67
$61.92
3
15.76%
0.58%
13.89%
$11,388.74
$64.66
4
21.55%
0.58%
18.92%
$11,892.13
$67.51
5
27.63%
0.58%
24.18%
$12,417.76
$70.50
6
34.01%
0.58%
29.67%
$12,966.62
$73.61
7
40.71%
0.58%
35.40%
$13,539.75
$76.87
8
47.75%
0.58%
41.38%
$14,138.20
$80.27
9
55.13%
0.58%
47.63%
$14,763.11
$83.81
10
62.89%
0.58%
54.16%
$15,415.64
$87.52
Total
$722.89
Prospectus February 1, 2023 107 Appendix A

DWS Global High Income Fund — Institutional Class
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.60%
4.40%
$10,440.00
$61.32
2
10.25%
0.67%
8.92%
$10,892.05
$71.46
3
15.76%
0.67%
13.64%
$11,363.68
$74.56
4
21.55%
0.67%
18.56%
$11,855.73
$77.78
5
27.63%
0.67%
23.69%
$12,369.08
$81.15
6
34.01%
0.67%
29.05%
$12,904.66
$84.67
7
40.71%
0.67%
34.63%
$13,463.43
$88.33
8
47.75%
0.67%
40.46%
$14,046.40
$92.16
9
55.13%
0.67%
46.55%
$14,654.61
$96.15
10
62.89%
0.67%
52.89%
$15,289.15
$100.31
Total
$827.89
DWS Global High Income Fund — Class S
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.65%
4.35%
$10,435.00
$66.41
2
10.25%
0.74%
8.80%
$10,879.53
$78.86
3
15.76%
0.74%
13.43%
$11,343.00
$82.22
4
21.55%
0.74%
18.26%
$11,826.21
$85.73
5
27.63%
0.74%
23.30%
$12,330.01
$89.38
6
34.01%
0.74%
28.55%
$12,855.27
$93.19
7
40.71%
0.74%
34.03%
$13,402.90
$97.16
8
47.75%
0.74%
39.74%
$13,973.86
$101.29
9
55.13%
0.74%
45.69%
$14,569.15
$105.61
10
62.89%
0.74%
51.90%
$15,189.80
$110.11
Total
$909.96
Prospectus February 1, 2023 108 Appendix A

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class A
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
2.25%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.75%
1.90%
$10,190.44
$299.87
2
10.25%
0.85%
6.13%
$10,613.34
$88.42
3
15.76%
0.85%
10.54%
$11,053.79
$92.09
4
21.55%
0.85%
15.13%
$11,512.53
$95.91
5
27.63%
0.85%
19.90%
$11,990.30
$99.89
6
34.01%
0.85%
24.88%
$12,487.89
$104.03
7
40.71%
0.85%
30.06%
$13,006.14
$108.35
8
47.75%
0.85%
35.46%
$13,545.90
$112.85
9
55.13%
0.85%
41.08%
$14,108.05
$117.53
10
62.89%
0.85%
46.94%
$14,693.54
$122.41
Total
$1,241.35
DWS Short Duration Fund — Class C
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
1.50%
3.50%
$10,350.00
$152.63
2
10.25%
1.61%
7.01%
$10,700.87
$169.46
3
15.76%
1.61%
10.64%
$11,063.62
$175.20
4
21.55%
1.61%
14.39%
$11,438.68
$181.14
5
27.63%
1.61%
18.26%
$11,826.45
$187.28
6
34.01%
1.61%
22.27%
$12,227.37
$193.63
7
40.71%
1.61%
26.42%
$12,641.88
$200.20
8
47.75%
1.61%
30.70%
$13,070.44
$206.98
9
55.13%
0.85%
36.13%
$13,612.86
$113.40
10
62.89%
0.85%
41.78%
$14,177.79
$118.11
Total
$1,698.03
Prospectus February 1, 2023 109 Appendix A

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class R6
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.38%
4.62%
$10,462.00
$38.88
2
10.25%
0.51%
9.32%
$10,931.74
$54.55
3
15.76%
0.51%
14.23%
$11,422.58
$57.00
4
21.55%
0.51%
19.35%
$11,935.45
$59.56
5
27.63%
0.51%
24.71%
$12,471.35
$62.24
6
34.01%
0.51%
30.31%
$13,031.32
$65.03
7
40.71%
0.51%
36.16%
$13,616.42
$67.95
8
47.75%
0.51%
42.28%
$14,227.80
$71.00
9
55.13%
0.51%
48.67%
$14,866.63
$74.19
10
62.89%
0.51%
55.34%
$15,534.14
$77.52
Total
$627.92
DWS Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.38%
4.62%
$10,462.00
$38.88
2
10.25%
0.60%
9.22%
$10,922.33
$64.15
3
15.76%
0.60%
14.03%
$11,402.91
$66.98
4
21.55%
0.60%
19.05%
$11,904.64
$69.92
5
27.63%
0.60%
24.28%
$12,428.44
$73.00
6
34.01%
0.60%
29.75%
$12,975.29
$76.21
7
40.71%
0.60%
35.46%
$13,546.21
$79.56
8
47.75%
0.60%
41.42%
$14,142.24
$83.07
9
55.13%
0.60%
47.64%
$14,764.50
$86.72
10
62.89%
0.60%
54.14%
$15,414.14
$90.54
Total
$729.03
Prospectus February 1, 2023 110 Appendix A

DWS Short Duration Fund — Class S
 
Maximum
Sales Charge:
0.00%
Initial Hypothetical
Investment:
$10,000
Assumed Rate
of Return:
5%
Year
Cumulative
Return Before
Fees &
Expenses
Annual
Fund
Expense
Ratios
Cumulative
Return After
Fees &
Expenses
Hypothetical
Year-End
Balance After
Fees &
Expenses
Annual Fees
&
Expenses
1
5.00%
0.50%
4.50%
$10,450.00
$51.13
2
10.25%
0.68%
9.01%
$10,901.44
$72.59
3
15.76%
0.68%
13.72%
$11,372.38
$75.73
4
21.55%
0.68%
18.64%
$11,863.67
$79.00
5
27.63%
0.68%
23.76%
$12,376.18
$82.42
6
34.01%
0.68%
29.11%
$12,910.83
$85.98
7
40.71%
0.68%
34.69%
$13,468.58
$89.69
8
47.75%
0.68%
40.50%
$14,050.42
$93.56
9
55.13%
0.68%
46.57%
$14,657.40
$97.61
10
62.89%
0.68%
52.91%
$15,290.60
$101.82
Total
$829.53
Additional Index Information
DWS GNMA Fund
Bloomberg GNMA Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted measure of all fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the Government National Mortgage Association.
DWS High Income Fund
ICE BofA US High Yield Index tracks the performance of US dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market.
DWS Global High Income Fund
ICE BofA Non-Financial Developed Markets High Yield Constrained (Hedged) Index contains all securities in the ICE BofA Global High Yield Index that are non-financials and from developed markets countries, but caps issuer exposure at 2%. The index is hedged 100% to the USD by selling each foreign currency forward at the one-month forward weight.
DWS Short Duration Fund
Bloomberg 1–3 Year Government/Credit Index is an unmanaged index consisting of all US government agency and Treasury securities, as well as all investment grade corporate debt securities with maturities of one to three years.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 111 Appendix A

Appendix B
Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the fund or through a financial intermediary. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales charge (“CDSC”) waivers. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, you will have to purchase fund shares directly from the fund or through another intermediary. The financial intermediary sales charge waivers, discounts and policies disclosed in this Appendix may vary from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or SAI. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify the fund or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying you for sales charge waivers or discounts.
The sales charge waivers, discounts and policies described below are applied by the identified financial intermediaries. Please contact the applicable intermediary with any questions regarding how the intermediary applies its waivers, discounts and policies and to ensure that you understand what steps you must take to qualify for any available waivers or discounts.
Merrill Lynch Class A and C Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts
Shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in each fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Merrill Lynch
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents).
Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares exchanged due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform.
Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable).
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e., level-load) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the fund, and employees of the fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus.
Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e., systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares Available at Merrill Lynch
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 112 Appendix B

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to A and C shares only).
Shares received through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
Front-end Load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
Class A Waivers Applicable to Purchase Through LPL Financial
For those accounts where LPL Financial is listed as the broker dealer, the Class A sales charge waivers listed under “Class A NAV Sales” in the “Choosing a Share Class” sub-section of the “Investing in the Funds” section of the prospectus apply, except that the Class A sales charge waiver number (12) (relating to purchases of Class A shares by employer-sponsored retirement plans) is replaced with the following waiver:
Class A shares may be purchased without a sales charge by group retirement plans, which are employer-sponsored retirement plans, deferred compensation plans, employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans.
To satisfy eligibility requirements, the plan must be a group retirement plan (more than one participant), the shares cannot be held in a commission-based brokerage account at LPL Financial, and
the shares must be held at a plan level or
the shares must be held through an omnibus account of a retirement plan record-keeper.
Group retirement plans include group employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, employer-sponsored 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, retiree health benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, KEOGHs, individual 401(k) or individual 403(b) plans do not qualify under this waiver.
LPL Financial is responsible for the implementation of this waiver on its platform.
Ameriprise Financial Class A Front-End Sales Charge Waivers
The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Effective January 15, 2021, shareholders purchasing fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial brokerage account are eligible for the following Class A front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s prospectus or SAI:
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).
Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares or conversion of Class C shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.
Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 113 Appendix B

Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., Rights of Reinstatement).
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Class A Front-End Sales Charge Waivers
Effective July 1, 2018, fund shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from, and may be more limited than, those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares purchased by Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund.
Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account.
Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. & Each Entity’s Affiliates (“Raymond James”)
Shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in each fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Raymond James
Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.
Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.
Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
A shareholder in the fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted by Raymond James at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares Available at Raymond James
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 114 Appendix B

Front-end Load Discounts Available at Raymond James: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation, and/or Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC CLASS A AND C SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS
Effective May 1, 2020, if you purchase fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted by Janney at net asset value to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
*Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”
EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. (“EDWARD JONES”) – REDUCTIONS IN SALES CHARGES, SALES CHARGE WAIVERS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT POLICIES
Effective on or after March 1, 2021, the following information supersedes prior information with respect to transactions and positions held in fund shares through an Edward Jones system. Clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts and waivers, which can differ from discounts and waivers described elsewhere in the mutual fund prospectus or statement of additional information (“SAI”) or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it
Prospectus February 1, 2023 115 Appendix B

is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of DWS Funds, or other facts qualifying the purchaser for discounts or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance. Shareholders should contact Edward Jones if they have questions regarding their eligibility for these discounts and waivers.
Front-end Sales Charge Discounts on Class A Shares Available at Edward Jones: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints
Breakpoint pricing, otherwise known as volume pricing, at dollar thresholds as described in the prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”)
The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) of DWS Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). If grouping assets as a shareholder, this includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the ROA calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge.
The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level.
ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost minus redemptions or market value (current shares x NAV).
Letter of Intent (“LOI”)
Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to make over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.
If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Edward Jones
Class A front-end sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations:
Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones' policies and procedures.
Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: (i) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase; and (ii) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.
Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.
Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier by and at the discretion of Edward Jones.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 116 Appendix B

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) Waivers on Class A and C Shares Available at Edward Jones
If the shareholder purchases Class A or Class C shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions:
The death or disability of the shareholder.
Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.
Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches the qualified age based on applicable IRA regulations.
Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.
Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.
Shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for Minimum Balances, as described below.
Other Important Information Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones
Minimum Purchase Amounts for Class A and Class C Shares
Initial purchase minimum: $250
Subsequent purchase minimum: none
Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:
A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform.
A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform.
An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI.
Exchanging Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares of the same fund.
OPPENHEIMER & CO. INC. CLASS A AND C SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS
Effective on or about June 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge (“CDSC”) waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares Available at OPCO
Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.
Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).
A shareholder in the fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted by OPCO at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO.
Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members.
Directors or Trustees of the fund, and employees of the fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares Available at OPCO
Death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 117 Appendix B

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the prospectus.
Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end Load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent as described in this prospectus.
ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO. INC. – CLASS A AND C SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS
Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. (“Baird”) platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund.
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Baird or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Baird.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another fund in the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).
Shareholders in a fund’s Class C Shares will have their shares converted by Baird at net asset value to Class A shares of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.
Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares Available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulations and/or Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in the fund’s prospectus.
Rights of accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulation calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of Intent (LOI), which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases through Baird within a fund family, over a 13-month period of time.
Waivers Specific to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”)
Effective September 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Stifel platform or account or who own shares for which Stifel or an affiliate is the broker-dealer of record are eligible for the following additional sales charge waiver.
Front-end Sales Load Waiver on Class A Shares
Class C shares that have been held for more than seven (7) years will be converted by Stifel at net asset value to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Stifel’s policies and procedures.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 118 Appendix B

All other sales charge waivers and reductions described elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or SAI still apply.
Prospectus February 1, 2023 119 Appendix B

To Get More Information
Shareholder reports. Additional information about a fund’s investments is available in a fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected fund performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI). This tells you more about a fund’s features and policies, including additional risk information. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this document (meaning that it’s legally part of this prospectus).
For a free copy of any of these documents or to request other information about a fund, contact DWS at the telephone number or address listed below. SAIs and shareholder reports are also available through the DWS Web site at dws.com. These documents and other information about each fund are available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at sec.gov. If you like, you may obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by e-mailing a request to [email protected].
In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be
combined with those for other members of your household, please contact your financial representative or call the telephone number provided.
Contact Information
DWS
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO
64121-9151
dws.com
 
Shareholders:
(800) 728-3337
Investment professionals:
(800) 621-5027
Distributor
DWS Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
(800) 621-1148
SEC File Number
Deutsche DWS Income Trust
DWS GNMA Fund
811-04049
Deutsche DWS Income Trust
DWS High Income Fund
811-04049
Deutsche DWS Income Trust
DWS Global High Income Fund
811-04049
Deutsche DWS Income Trust
DWS Short Duration Fund
811-04049
(02/01/23) DTXIF-1