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Prospectus
August 1, 2024
DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund
CLASS/TICKER
A
AAAAX
C
AAAPX
R
AAAQX
R6
AAAVX
INST
AAAZX
S
AAASX
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) do 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
Your investment in the 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 RREEF Real Assets Fund
Investment Objective
The fund seeks total return in excess of inflation through capital growth and current 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 $50,000 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. 20), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries (Appendix B, p. 51) 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
5.75
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
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.77
0.77
Distribution/service (12b-1)
fees
0.25
1.00
0.50
None
None
None
Other expenses
0.26
0.24
0.39
0.14
0.23
0.35
Total annual fund operating
expenses
1.28
2.01
1.66
0.91
1.00
1.12
Fee waiver/expense reim-
bursement
0.06
0.04
0.19
0.01
0.10
0.05
Total annual fund operating
expenses after fee waiver/
expense reimbursement
1.22
1.97
1.47
0.90
0.90
1.07
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 and 0.50% if redeemed within the following six months.
The Advisor has contractually agreed through July 31, 2025 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 1.22%, 1.97%, 1.47%, 0.90%, 0.90% and 1.07% for Class A, Class C, Class R, 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
Prospectus August 1, 2024 1 DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

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 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
$692
$300
$150
$92
$92
$109
3
952
627
505
289
308
351
5
1,231
1,079
884
503
543
612
10
2,026
2,146
1,949
1,119
1,216
1,359
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Years
A
C
R
R6
INST
S
1
$692
$200
$150
$92
$92
$109
3
952
627
505
289
308
351
5
1,231
1,079
884
503
543
612
10
2,026
2,146
1,949
1,119
1,216
1,359
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 68% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. The fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes (calculated at the time of any investment), in a combination of investments that the Advisor believes offer exposure to “real assets.” Currently, the Advisor intends to seek exposure to the following real assets sectors (either directly or through investment in companies that own or derive a significant portion of their value from such real assets or the production thereof): listed real estate (REITs and real estate operating companies), commodities (commodity futures), natural resource-related equities (energy, metals and mining, paper and forestry, agriculture), listed infrastructure (regulated utilities, transport, communications, pipelines, seaports, airports and toll roads), gold and other precious metals, master limited partnerships (MLPs), Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and other fixed income securities. However, these exposures may change from time to time and exposures to new real assets sectors may be added or exposures to existing real assets sectors may be deleted.
The fund generally invests between 15% and 75% of fund assets in securities of foreign issuers, including up to 10% of fund assets in issuers located in countries with new or emerging markets.
The fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in affiliated and unaffiliated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and may also invest in certain other securities, including fixed income securities, and derivative instruments, including gold futures contracts and other commodity-linked futures (see “Derivatives” subsection). With respect to investments in fixed income securities, the fund may hold securities of any quality, maturity or duration.
The fund may gain exposure to the commodity markets by investing up to 25% of the fund’s total assets in a wholly owned subsidiary formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”), which shares the same portfolio management team as the fund and invests mainly in commodity-linked futures contracts and fixed income instruments, some of which may serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivatives positions.
Management process. The investment process starts with top-down allocations to each of the underlying real assets sectors, that comprise listed real estate, commodities, natural resource-related equities, listed infrastructure, gold and other precious metals, master limited partnerships (MLPs), Treasury Protected Inflation Securities (TIPs) and other fixed income securities, and then continues with allocations to the subsectors within each main sector. Portfolio management continuously monitors the current economic environment and reviews the sector and subsector allocations accordingly. Sector allocations are adjusted on an ongoing basis based upon portfolio management’s macro views in an effort to increase portfolio efficiency through tactical allocations. Within each of the sectors, portfolio management uses bottom-up analysis to value each individual security and judges the relative attractiveness of each to select what it believes to be the best investments to fill the sector allocations defined by the top-down allocation process. In addition to valuing the cash flow stream of the underlying assets, portfolio management’s bottom-up analysis also considers a company’s balance sheet, the quality and geography of the assets, the company’s management team, market thematics, liquidity, and a number of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, each of which can impact an investment’s potential risk and return expectations. The portfolio is monitored on an ongoing basis for risk management purposes.
Derivatives. In addition to commodity-linked futures contracts, the fund may also use other types of derivatives, which are financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security of index, (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

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, pooled investment vehicles, banks and other financial institutions. In connection with such loans, the fund receives liquid collateral in an amount that is based on the type and value of the securities being lent, with riskier securities generally requiring higher levels of collateral.
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.
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.
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.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which has increased the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact
markets or issuers in other countries or regions. This includes reliance on global supply chains that are susceptible to disruptions resulting from, among other things, war and other armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and natural disasters. Such supply chain disruptions can lead to, and have led to, economic and market disruptions that have far-reaching effects on financial markets worldwide. 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. In addition, geopolitical and other globally interconnected occurrences, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty or financial crises, contagion, trade disputes, government debt crises (including defaults or downgrades) or uncertainty about government debt payments, government shutdowns, public health crises, natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, climate change and related events or conditions, 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.
Current military and other armed conflicts in various geographic regions, including those in Europe and the Middle East, can lead to, and have led to, economic and market disruptions, which may not be limited to the geographic region in which the conflict is occurring. Such conflicts can also result, and have resulted in some cases, in sanctions being levied by the United States, the European Union and/or other countries against countries or other actors involved in the conflict. In addition, such conflicts and related sanctions can adversely affect regional and global energy, commodities, financial and other markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of any military conflict, related sanctions and resulting economic and market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include pandemic spread of viruses, such as the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which have caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. While COVID-19 is no longer considered to be a public health emergency, the fund and its investments may be adversely affected by lingering effects of this virus or future pandemic spread of viruses.
In addition, markets are becoming increasingly susceptible to disruption events resulting from the use of new and emerging technologies to engage in cyber-attacks or to take over the websites and/or social media accounts of companies, governmental entities or public officials, or to otherwise pose as or impersonate such, which then may be used to disseminate false or misleading information that can cause volatility in financial markets or for the stock of a particular company, group of companies, industry or other class of assets.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those discussed above, 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.
Real estate securities risk. Real estate companies, including REITs, can be negatively affected by the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as general or local economic conditions, decreases in real estate value, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, liabilities or losses due to environmental problems, extreme weather or natural disasters, delays in completion of construction, falling rents (whether due to poor demand, increased competition, overbuilding, or limitations on rents), zoning changes, rising interest rates, lack of credit, failure of borrowers to repay loans and losses from casualty or condemnation. In addition, real estate values have been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. During periods of rising interest rates, real estate securities may lose appeal for investors who may be able to obtain higher yields from other income-producing investments. Rising interest rates may also mean that financing for property purchases and improvements is more costly and difficult to obtain. In addition, many real estate companies, including REITs, utilize leverage which increases investment risk. Highly leveraged real estate companies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of an economic downturn. Further, REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and may have relatively small market capitalizations, which can increase volatility. REITs must satisfy certain requirements in order to qualify for favorable tax treatment under applicable tax laws, and a failure to qualify could adversely affect the value of the REIT. By investing in REITs through a fund, a shareholder will bear expenses of the REITs in addition to expenses of the fund and will not be entitled to the federal income tax
deduction for qualified REIT dividends available to noncorporate investors that own REITs directly unless certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
Infrastructure-related companies risk. Infrastructure-related companies can be negatively affected by various factors, including general or local economic conditions and political developments, general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets, high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs, difficulty in raising capital, costs associated with compliance with changes in regulations, regulation or intervention by various government authorities, including government regulation of rates, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from the deregulation of a particular industry or sector, changes in tax laws, environmental problems, costs or disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural disasters, the effects of energy conservation policies, commodities markets disruptions (e.g., significant changes over short time periods in the price of oil), technological changes, surplus capacity, casualty losses, threat of terrorist attacks and changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates could lead to higher financing costs and reduced earnings for infrastructure-related companies. A company is considered to be an infrastructure-related company if at least 50% of its non-cash assets are infrastructure assets or 50% of its gross income or net profits are derived, directly or indirectly, from the ownership, management, construction, operation, utilization or financing of infrastructure assets. Infrastructure-related companies may be focused in the energy, industrials and utilities sectors. At times, the performance of securities in these sectors may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. A downturn in these sectors could have an adverse impact on the fund.
Natural resources securities risk. Securities of natural resources companies may be affected by a variety of factors, including global political and economic developments, climate changes or natural disasters in major natural resource areas, fluctuations in commodity prices, government regulations and fluctuating demand caused by, among other causes, rising interest rates, general economic conditions and energy conservation efforts.
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.
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
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

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.
Commodities-related investments risk. The commodities-linked derivative instruments in which the fund invests tend to be more volatile than many other types of securities and may subject the fund to special risks that do not apply to all derivatives transactions. For example, the value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as climate changes, drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, changes in storage costs, embargoes, tariffs, policies of commodity cartels and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Emerging markets risk. Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.
Gold and other precious metals investment risk. Prices of gold or other precious metals and materials-related stocks may move up and down rapidly, and have historically offered lower long-term performance than the stock market as a whole. Gold and other precious metals prices can be influenced by a variety of economic, financial and political factors, especially inflation: when inflation is low or expected to fall, prices tend to be weak.
Master limited partnership risk. Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock, including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between the MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and lower market liquidity. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments could have poor returns.
MLPs are also subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies they control, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the risk that such companies may lack or have limited operating histories. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic and other conditions.
MLPs often operate in the energy infrastructure sector and are subject to specific risks that could cause the value of the MLP to decline, including, among others: fluctuations in commodity prices; fluctuations in consumer demand for commodities such as oil, natural gas or petroleum products; fluctuations in the supply of oil, natural gas or other commodities for transporting, processing, storing or delivering; slowdowns in new construction; extreme weather or other natural disasters; and threats of terrorist attacks. Additionally, changes in economic conditions of key energy producing and consuming countries, domestic and foreign government regulations, international politics, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), taxation and tariffs may adversely impact the profitability of energy infrastructure companies. Moreover, energy infrastructure companies may incur environmental costs and liabilities due to the nature of their businesses and substances handled. Over time, depletion of natural gas reserves and other energy reserves may also affect the profitability of energy infrastructure companies.
Inflation-indexed bond risk. Any actual or anticipated rise in interest rates may cause inflation-indexed bonds to decline in price, hurting fund performance. Interest rates in the US have been rising and may continue to increase in the near future. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, the fund’s investment in inflation-indexed bonds may not be fully protected from the effects of rising interest rates. The performance of any bonds that are indexed to non-US rates of inflation may be higher or lower than those indexed to US inflation rates. Inflation rates may change frequently and significantly as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy or changes in fiscal or monetary policies. The fund’s actual returns could fail to match the real rate of inflation.
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.
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 securities 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. 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.
Low inflation/deflation risk. During periods of low inflation or deflation, investments in securities that typically offer some protection from inflation (including investments
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

in natural resources, infrastructure related companies, certain commodities and real estate related companies, among others) could decline in value, causing the fund to underperform.
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 underlying asset, security or index 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.
ETF risk. Because ETFs trade on a securities exchange, their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. An ETF is subject to the risks of the assets in which it invests as well as those of the investment strategy it follows. The fund may incur brokerage costs when it buys and sells shares of an ETF and also bears its proportionate share of the ETF’s fees and expenses, which are passed through to ETF shareholders.
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.
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.
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.
Tax risk. Income and gains from commodities and certain commodity-linked derivatives generally do not constitute “qualifying income” to the fund for purposes of qualification as a “regulated investment company” for federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a private ruling to the fund that income derived from the fund's investment in the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income to the fund. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service issued regulations under which the fund expects its income attributable to its investment in the Subsidiary to be treated as qualifying income. Income from other commodity-linked derivatives in which the fund invests directly or indirectly may not constitute qualifying income. If the fund's nonqualifying income exceeds 10% of the fund's gross income, the fund may fail to qualify as a regulated investment company and be subject to a tax at the fund level. If the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, all of the fund's taxable income would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates and all distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Investing in commodities and commodity-linked derivatives indirectly through the Subsidiary may cause the fund to recognize more ordinary income than would be the case if the fund invested directly in the investments held by the Subsidiary.
Subsidiary risk. The fund may invest in the Subsidiary, which is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and therefore is not subject to all of the investor protections of the Investment Company Act of 1940. A change in the US or the Cayman Islands laws or regulations, under which the fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, that impacts the Subsidiary or how the fund invests in the Subsidiary, such as a change in tax law, could adversely affect the fund. By investing in the Subsidiary, the fund is
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which generally include the risks of investing in derivatives and commodities-related investments.
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. Delayed settlement may limit the ability of the fund to reinvest the proceeds of a sale of securities or prevent the fund from selling securities at times and prices it considers desirable. 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 broad-based securities 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.
On April 26, 2016, the fund’s investment strategy was changed and the fund was restructured from a fund-of-funds (i.e., a fund investing primarily in other DWS funds) to a direct investment fund (i.e., a fund investing directly in securities and other investments). Performance would have been different if the fund’s current investment strategy and structure had been in effect during the period prior to April 26, 2016.
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
12.79%
March 31, 2019
Worst Quarter
-17.80%
March 31, 2020
Year-to-Date
1.27%
June 30, 2024
Average Annual Total Returns
(For periods ended 12/31/2023 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.
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
10
Years
Class A before tax
7/30/2007
-3.59
6.20
3.55
After tax on distribu-
tions
 
-4.20
5.37
2.80
After tax on distribu-
tions and sale of fund
shares
 
-1.92
4.59
2.50
Class C before tax
7/30/2007
0.53
6.66
3.40
Class R before tax
6/1/2011
1.95
7.18
3.91
INST Class before tax
7/30/2007
2.63
7.78
4.50
Class S before tax
7/30/2007
2.36
7.60
4.33
MSCI World Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees or expenses)
 
23.79
12.80
8.60
Bloomberg US Treasury
Inflation Notes Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes)
 
3.90
3.15
2.42
Blended Index
 
4.23
6.33
3.76
 
Class
Inception
1
Year
5
Years
Since
Inception
Class R6 before tax
11/28/2014
2.63
7.78
4.46
MSCI World Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees or expenses)
 
23.79
12.80
8.69
Bloomberg US Treasury
Inflation Notes Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes)
 
3.90
3.15
2.13
Blended Index
 
4.23
6.33
3.38
Blended Index Blended Index is composed of 30% in the Dow Jones Brookfield Infrastructure Index, 30% in the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index, 15% in the Bloomberg Commodity Index, 15% in the S&P Global Natural Resources Index and 10% in the Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation Notes Index.
The Advisor believes the Blended Index provides additional comparative performance information and represents the fund’s overall investment strategy. Also shown is the Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation Notes Index, which measures the performance of all publicly issued, US Treasury inflation-protected securities that have at least one year remaining to maturity, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value.
Management
Investment Advisor
DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.
Subadvisor
RREEF America L.L.C.
Portfolio Manager(s)
John W. Vojticek, Global Head of Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2015.
Francis X. Greywitt III, Head of Investment Strategy Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Evan Rudy, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum Initial Investment ($)
 
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 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
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8
DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

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.
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DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund

Fund Details
Additional Information About Fund Strategies and Risks
Investment Objective
The fund seeks total return in excess of inflation through capital growth and current income.
Principal Investment Strategies
Main investments. The fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes (calculated at the time of any investment), in a combination of investments that the Advisor believes offer exposure to “real assets.” Currently, the Advisor intends to seek exposure to the following real assets sectors (either directly or through investment in companies that own or derive a significant portion of their value from such real assets or the production thereof): listed real estate (REITs and real estate operating companies), commodities (commodity futures), natural resource-related equities (energy, metals and mining, paper and forestry, agriculture), listed infrastructure (regulated utilities, transport, communications, pipelines, seaports, airports and toll roads), gold and other precious metals, master limited partnerships (MLPs), Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and other fixed income securities. However, these exposures may change from time to time and exposures to new real assets sectors may be added or exposures to existing real assets sectors may be deleted.
The fund generally invests between 15% and 75% of fund assets in securities of foreign issuers, including up to 10% of fund assets in issuers located in countries with new or emerging markets.
The fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in affiliated and unaffiliated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and may also invest in certain other securities, including fixed income securities, and derivative instruments, including gold futures contracts and other commodity-linked futures (see “Derivatives” subsection). With respect to investments in fixed income securities, the fund may hold securities of any quality, maturity or duration.
The fund may gain exposure to the commodity markets by investing up to 25% of the fund’s total assets in a wholly owned subsidiary formed under the laws of the Cayman
Islands (the “Subsidiary”), which shares the same portfolio management team as the fund and invests mainly in commodity-linked futures contracts and fixed income instruments, some of which may serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivatives positions.
Management process. The investment process starts with top-down allocations to each of the underlying real assets sectors, that comprise listed real estate, commodities, natural resource-related equities, listed infrastructure, gold and other precious metals, master limited partnerships (MLPs), Treasury Protected Inflation Securities (TIPs) and other fixed income securities, and then continues with allocations to the subsectors within each main sector. Portfolio management continuously monitors the current economic environment and reviews the sector and subsector allocations accordingly. Sector allocations are adjusted on an ongoing basis based upon portfolio management’s macro views in an effort to increase portfolio efficiency through tactical allocations. Within each of the sectors, portfolio management uses bottom-up analysis to value each individual security and judges the relative attractiveness of each to select what it believes to be the best investments to fill the sector allocations defined by the top-down allocation process. In addition to valuing the cash flow stream of the underlying assets, portfolio management’s bottom-up analysis also considers a company’s balance sheet, the quality and geography of the assets, the company’s management team, market thematics, liquidity, and a number of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, each of which can impact an investment’s potential risk and return expectations. The portfolio is monitored on an ongoing basis for risk management purposes.
Derivatives. In addition to commodity-linked futures contracts, the fund may also use other types of derivatives, which are financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of an underlying asset, security of index, (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.
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Securities lending. The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, pooled investment vehicles, banks and other financial institutions. In connection with such loans, the fund receives liquid collateral in an amount that is based on the type and value of the securities being lent, with riskier securities generally requiring higher levels of collateral.
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.
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.
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.
Market disruption risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which has increased the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. This includes reliance on global supply chains that are susceptible to disruptions resulting from, among other things, war
and other armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and natural disasters. Such supply chain disruptions can lead to, and have led to, economic and market disruptions that have far-reaching effects on financial markets worldwide. 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. In addition, geopolitical and other globally interconnected occurrences, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty or financial crises, contagion, trade disputes, government debt crises (including defaults or downgrades) or uncertainty about government debt payments, government shutdowns, public health crises, natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, climate change and related events or conditions, 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.
Current military and other armed conflicts in various geographic regions, including those in Europe and the Middle East, can lead to, and have led to, economic and market disruptions, which may not be limited to the geographic region in which the conflict is occurring. Such conflicts can also result, and have resulted in some cases, in sanctions being levied by the United States, the European Union and/or other countries against countries or other actors involved in the conflict. In addition, such conflicts and related sanctions can adversely affect regional and global energy, commodities, financial and other markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of any military conflict, related sanctions and resulting economic and market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Other market disruption events include pandemic spread of viruses, such as the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which have caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. While COVID-19 is no longer considered to be a public health
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Fund Details

emergency, the fund and its investments may be adversely affected by lingering effects of this virus or future pandemic spread of viruses.
In addition, markets are becoming increasingly susceptible to disruption events resulting from the use of new and emerging technologies to engage in cyber-attacks or to take over the websites and/or social media accounts of companies, governmental entities or public officials, or to otherwise pose as or impersonate such, which then may be used to disseminate false or misleading information that can cause volatility in financial markets or for the stock of a particular company, group of companies, industry or other class of assets.
Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those discussed above, 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.
Real estate securities risk. Real estate companies, including REITs, can be negatively affected by the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as general or local economic conditions, decreases in real estate value, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, liabilities or losses due to environmental problems, extreme weather or natural disasters, delays in completion of construction, falling rents (whether due to poor demand, increased competition, overbuilding, or limitations on rents), zoning changes, rising interest rates, lack of credit, failure of borrowers to repay loans and losses from casualty or condemnation. In addition, real estate values have been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. During periods of rising interest rates, real estate securities may lose appeal for investors who may be able to obtain higher yields from other income-producing investments. Rising interest rates may also mean that financing for property purchases and improvements is more costly and difficult to obtain. In addition, many real estate companies, including REITs, utilize leverage which increases investment risk. Highly leveraged real estate companies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of an economic downturn. Further, REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified and may have relatively small market capitalizations, which can increase volatility. REITs must satisfy certain requirements in order to qualify for favorable tax treatment under applicable tax laws, and a failure to qualify could adversely affect the value of the REIT. By investing in REITs through a fund, a shareholder will bear expenses of the REITs in addition to expenses of the fund and will not be entitled to the federal income tax deduction for qualified REIT dividends available to noncorporate investors that own REITs directly unless certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
Infrastructure-related companies risk. Infrastructure-related companies can be negatively affected by various factors, including general or local economic conditions and political developments, general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets, high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs, difficulty in raising capital, costs associated with compliance with changes in regulations, regulation or intervention by various government authorities, including government regulation of rates, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from the deregulation of a particular industry or sector, changes in tax laws, environmental problems, costs or disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural disasters, the effects of energy conservation policies, commodities markets disruptions (e.g., significant changes over short time periods in the price of oil), technological changes, surplus capacity, casualty losses, threat of terrorist attacks and changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates could lead to higher financing costs and reduced earnings for infrastructure-related companies. A company is considered to be an infrastructure-related company if at least 50% of its non-cash assets are infrastructure assets or 50% of its gross income or net profits are derived, directly or indirectly, from the ownership, management, construction, operation, utilization or financing of infrastructure assets. Infrastructure-related companies may be focused in the energy, industrials and utilities sectors. At times, the performance of securities in these sectors may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. A downturn in these sectors could have an adverse impact on the fund.
Natural resources securities risk. Securities of natural resources companies may be affected by a variety of factors, including global political and economic developments, climate changes or natural disasters in major natural resource areas, fluctuations in commodity prices, government regulations and fluctuating demand caused by, among other causes, rising interest rates, general economic conditions and energy conservation efforts.
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.
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
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Fund Details

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.
Commodities-related investments risk. The commodities-linked derivative instruments in which the fund invests tend to be more volatile than many other types of securities and may subject the fund to special risks that do not apply to all derivatives transactions. For example, the value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as climate changes, drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, changes in storage costs, embargoes, tariffs, policies of commodity cartels and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
The value of a commodity-linked derivative investment generally is based upon the price movements of a physical commodity (such as energy, minerals, or agricultural products), a futures contract, swap or commodity index, or other economic variables linked to changes in the value of commodities or the commodities markets. A liquid secondary market may not exist for the types of commodity-linked derivative instruments the fund buys, which may make it difficult for the fund to sell them at an acceptable price. The fund’s ability to gain exposure to commodity-linked investments and achieve its investment objective may be limited by its intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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.
Gold and other precious metals investment risk. Prices of gold or other precious metals and materials-related stocks may move up and down rapidly, and have historically offered lower long-term performance than the stock market as a whole. Gold and other precious metals prices can be influenced by a variety of economic, financial and political factors, especially inflation: when inflation is low or expected to fall, prices tend to be weak.
Master limited partnership risk. Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock, including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between the MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and lower market liquidity. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments could have poor returns.
MLPs are also subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies they control, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the
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Fund Details

risk that such companies may lack or have limited operating histories. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic and other conditions.
MLPs often operate in the energy infrastructure sector and are subject to specific risks that could cause the value of the MLP to decline, including, among others: fluctuations in commodity prices; fluctuations in consumer demand for commodities such as oil, natural gas or petroleum products; fluctuations in the supply of oil, natural gas or other commodities for transporting, processing, storing or delivering; slowdowns in new construction; extreme weather or other natural disasters; and threats of terrorist attacks. Additionally, changes in economic conditions of key energy producing and consuming countries, domestic and foreign government regulations, international politics, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), taxation and tariffs may adversely impact the profitability of energy infrastructure companies. Moreover, energy infrastructure companies may incur environmental costs and liabilities due to the nature of their businesses and substances handled. Over time, depletion of natural gas reserves and other energy reserves may also affect the profitability of energy infrastructure companies.
Inflation-indexed bond risk. Any actual or anticipated rise in interest rates may cause inflation-indexed bonds to decline in price, hurting fund performance. Interest rates in the US have been rising and may continue to increase in the near future. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, the fund’s investment in inflation-indexed bonds may not be fully protected from the effects of rising interest rates. The performance of any bonds that are indexed to non-US rates of inflation may be higher or lower than those indexed to US inflation rates. Inflation rates may change frequently and significantly as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy or changes in fiscal or monetary policies. The fund’s actual returns could fail to match the real rate of inflation.
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.
For securities that rely on third-party guarantors to support their credit quality, the same risks may apply if the financial condition of the guarantor deteriorates or the guarantor ceases to insure securities. Because guarantors may insure many types of securities, including subprime mortgage bonds and other high-risk bonds, their financial condition could deteriorate as a result of events that have little or no connection to securities owned by the fund.
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.
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 securities 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. 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.
Low inflation/deflation risk. During periods of low inflation or deflation, investments in securities that typically offer some protection from inflation (including investments in natural resources, infrastructure related companies, certain commodities and real estate related companies, among others) could decline in value, causing the fund to underperform.
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 underlying asset, security or index 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.
Derivatives whose values are tied to the value of commodities will subject the fund directly to commodities risk and tax risk associated with investment in commodities. See the “Commodities-related investments risk” and “Tax status risk” sections for additional information. In addition, derivative instruments whose values are tied to the value
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of hedge funds will be subject to the risks of the assets held by the hedge fund, structural risks of hedge funds (e.g., liquidity risk and transparency risk) and pricing risk.
ETF risk. Because ETFs trade on a securities exchange, their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. An ETF is subject to the risks of the assets in which it invests as well as those of the investment strategy it follows. The fund may incur brokerage costs when it buys and sells shares of an ETF and also bears its proportionate share of the ETF’s fees and expenses, which are passed through to ETF shareholders.
Fees and expenses incurred by an ETF may include trading costs, operating expenses, licensing fees, trustee fees and marketing expenses. With an index ETF, these costs may contribute to the ETF not fully matching the performance of the index it is designed to track.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tax risk. Income and gains from commodities and certain commodity-linked derivatives generally do not constitute “qualifying income” to the fund for purposes of qualification as a “regulated investment company” for federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a private ruling to the fund that income derived from the fund's investment in the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income to the fund. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service issued regulations under which the fund expects its income attributable to its investment in the Subsidiary to be treated as qualifying income. Income from other commodity-linked derivatives in which the fund invests directly or indirectly may not constitute qualifying income. If the fund's nonqualifying income exceeds 10% of the fund's gross income, the fund may fail to qualify as a regulated investment company and be subject to a tax at the fund level. If the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, all of the fund's taxable income would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates and all distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Investing in commodities and commodity-linked derivatives indirectly through the Subsidiary may cause the fund to recognize more ordinary income than would be the case if the fund invested directly in the investments held by the Subsidiary.
Subsidiary risk. The fund may invest in the Subsidiary, which is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and therefore is not subject to all of the investor protections of
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the Investment Company Act of 1940. A change in the US or the Cayman Islands laws or regulations, under which the fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, that impacts the Subsidiary or how the fund invests in the Subsidiary, such as a change in tax law, could adversely affect the fund. By investing in the Subsidiary, the fund is exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which generally include the risks of investing in derivatives and commodities-related investments.
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. Delayed settlement may limit the ability of the fund to reinvest the proceeds of a sale of securities or prevent the fund from selling securities at times and prices it considers desirable. 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 the fund’s strategy and risks, there are a few other matters to know about:
Although major changes tend to be infrequent, the fund’s Board could change the fund's investment objective without seeking shareholder approval. The fund's Board will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the fund's 80% investment policy as described herein.
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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 the 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 the 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.
The fund and the Subsidiary are each a “commodity pool” and are subject to the requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) promulgated thereunder. The Advisor acts as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the operation of the fund as a “commodity pool” under and pursuant to the CEA. The Advisor and the fund are subject to dual regulation by the CFTC and the SEC. The CFTC has adopted regulations that seek to “harmonize” CFTC regulations with overlapping SEC rules and regulations. The fund and the Advisor will remain subject to certain CFTC-mandated disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping regulations under the CFTC harmonization regulations. Compliance with the CFTC regulations could increase the fund’s expenses, adversely affecting investment returns. The Advisor has claimed a limited exemption from certain of the requirements of the CEA and the CFTC rules with respect to the Subsidiary. The Advisor will act as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the operation of the Subsidiary as a “commodity pool” and will comply with the requirements of the exemption.
From time to time, the 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 the 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 the fund (which may include affiliated and/or non-affiliated registered investment companies that invest in the fund) may make relatively large redemptions or purchases of fund shares. These transactions may cause the 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 the fund’s performance to the extent that the fund may be required to sell securities or invest cash at times when it would not otherwise do so. These transactions could adversely impact the fund’s liquidity, accelerate the recognition of taxable income if sales of securities resulted in capital gains or other income and increase transaction costs, which may adversely affect the fund’s performance. These transactions could also adversely impact the fund’s ability to implement its investment strategies and pursue its investment objective, and, as a result, a larger portion of the fund’s assets may be held in cash or cash equivalents. In addition, large redemptions could significantly reduce the fund’s assets, which may result in an increase in the 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 the fund. If you want more information on the 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 the fund will achieve its investment objective.
A complete list of the 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 the 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. In addition, the fund’s top ten equity holdings and other fund information is posted on dws.com as of the calendar quarter-end on or after the 10th calendar day following quarter-end. The fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes a description of the fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund’s portfolio holdings.
Who Manages and Oversees the Fund
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 the
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fund. Under the oversight of the Board, the Advisor, or a subadvisor, makes investment decisions, buys and sells securities for the fund and conducts research that leads 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 95 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 the fund. Below is the actual rate paid by the fund for the most recent fiscal year, as a percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets.
Fund Name
Fee Paid
DWS RREEF Real Assets
Fund
0.769
%*
*
Reflecting the effect of expense limitations and/or fee waivers then in effect.
The following waivers are currently in effect:
The Advisor has contractually agreed through September 30, 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 of 1.21%, 1.96%,1.46% and 1.06% for
Class A, Class C, Class R and Class S, respectively. The agreements may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board. In addition, the Advisor has contractually agreed through July 31, 2025 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 1.22%, 1.97%, 1.47%, 0.90%, 0.90% and 1.07% for Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreements may only be terminated with the consent of the fund’s Board.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the fund’s investment management agreement is contained in the most recent shareholder report for the annual period ended March 31 and the semi-annual period ended September 30 (see “Shareholder reports” on the back cover).
Under a separate administrative services agreement between the fund and the Advisor, the fund pays the Advisor a fee of 0.097% of the fund’s average daily net assets for providing most of the fund's administrative services. The administrative services fee discussed above is included in the fees and expenses table under “Other expenses.”
Subadvisor for the fund
RREEF America L.L.C. (“RREEF”), an affiliate of DIMA and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of DWS Group, is the subadvisor for the fund. RREEF, a registered investment advisor, is located at 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606. DIMA pays a fee to RREEF pursuant to an investment subadvisory agreement between DIMA and RREEF.
RREEF makes the investment decisions, buys and sells securities for the fund and conducts research that leads to these purchase and sale decisions.
RREEF has provided real estate investment management services to institutional investors since 1975 across a diversified portfolio of industrial properties, office buildings, residential apartments and shopping centers. RREEF has also been an investment advisor of real estate securities since 1993.
The Subsidiary
The fund may seek exposure to the commodities markets by investing a portion of its assets in Cayman Real Assets Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the fund (the “Subsidiary”). The Advisor and RREEF, as part of their overall advisory services to the fund, manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Subsidiary pursuant to separate management agreements with the Subsidiary. While the Subsidiary is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the management agreements with
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Fund Details

the Subsidiary include material provisions set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to investment advisory agreements. State Street Bank and Trust Company, which currently serves as custodian to the fund, also provides custodian services to the Subsidiary in compliance with relevant provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Advisor and RREEF do not receive any additional compensation for providing management services to the Subsidiary. In managing the assets of the Subsidiary, the Advisor and RREEF apply the investment policies and restrictions, and compliance policies and procedures of the fund generally as if such assets were held directly by the fund. The financial statements of the Subsidiary are consolidated with the financial statements of the fund and the consolidated financial statements are included in the fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Multi-Manager Structure. The Advisor, subject to the approval of the Board, has ultimate responsibility to oversee any subadvisor to the fund and to recommend the hiring, termination and replacement of subadvisors. The 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 the fund’s assets and enter into, amend or terminate a subadvisory agreement with certain subadvisors, in each case subject to the approval of the 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 the fund’s Board, has the discretion to terminate any subadvisor and allocate and reallocate the 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). The 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, the fund will provide shareholders with an information statement containing information about the new subadvisor. The shareholders of the fund have approved the multi-manager structure described herein.
Management
The following Portfolio Managers are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
John W. Vojticek, Global Head of Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2015.
Joined DWS in 2004; previously worked as Principal at KG Redding and Associates, March 2004–September 2004; and previously Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management from 1996–March 2004.
Head and Chief Investment Officer of Liquid Real Assets for DWS.
BS in Business Administration, University of Southern California.
Francis X. Greywitt III, Head of Investment Strategy Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Joined DWS in 2005; previously has worked as a REIT analyst with KeyBanc Capital Markets covering the office sector.
Co-Head of Infrastructure Securities and Co-Lead Portfolio Manager: Chicago.
Investment industry experience began in 1999.
BBA, St. Bonaventure University; MBA, University of Chicago.
Evan Rudy, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Liquid Real Assets. Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2016.
Joined DWS in 2007. Previously, worked as an Analyst at the Townsend Group, a real estate consulting firm.
Portfolio Analyst, Real Estate & Infrastructure Securities: Chicago.
BS, Miami University.
The fund’s Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about a portfolio manager’s investments in the fund, a description of the portfolio management compensation structure and information regarding other accounts managed.
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Investing in the Fund
This prospectus offers the share classes noted on the front cover. All classes of the 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 the 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 the 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 the fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/ (this Web site does not form a part of this prospectus).
The fund, the Distributor and the transfer agent do not provide investment advice or recommendations to existing or potential shareholders with respect to investing in the 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.
Classes and features
Points to help you compare
Class A
 
Sales charge of up to 5.75%
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
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
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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 the 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 the fund or through another intermediary. 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.
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 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 $50,000
5.75
%
6.10
%
$50,000–$99,999
4.50
4.71
$100,000–$249,999
3.50
3.63
$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 $50,000 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 $50,000 (Cumulative Discount); or
you are investing a total of $50,000 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
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Investing in the Fund

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 the 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, 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. Purchases pursuant to the Large Order NAV Purchase Privilege may be subject to a CDSC of 0.75% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date and 0.50% if redeemed within the following six months. 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;
(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
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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 the 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 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 the 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).
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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).
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 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.
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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.
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 the 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 the 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 the 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.
The fund reserves the right to modify the above eligibility requirements and investment minimum requirements at any time. In addition, the 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 the 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 the 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.
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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 the 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
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.
Minimum initial investment requirements apply no matter which method you use to make your purchase request.
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 established on your DWS fund account(s). Electronic purchases via the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) generally 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 established on your DWS fund account(s). Electronic purchases via ACH generally 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.
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By Mail or Expedited Mail
To establish an account, simply complete the appropriate account 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, address, 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 DWS 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. The fund may immediately terminate a shareholder’s Automatic Investment Plan in the event that any item is unpaid by the shareholder’s financial institution.
Other Ways to Buy Additional Shares
The following privileges must be established on your account before a request can be made to purchase additional shares. This can either be done by completing the applicable section(s) on the account application when you establish your account or by contacting a customer service representative for instructions.
By Telephone. Call DWS and either use our automated system to request a purchase via the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. Transactions via ACH generally take two to three days to be completed and there is a $50 minimum and a $250,000 maximum.
By Wire (available only for Institutional Class). You may buy additional shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. Please note that you or your financial representative must call us in advance of a wire transfer purchase. After you inform us of the amount of your purchase, you will receive a trade confirmation number. Instruct your bank to send payment by wire using the wire instructions noted below. All wires must be received the
next business day after your order is processed. If your wire is not received the next business day, your transaction will be canceled at your expense and risk.
Wire Details
Bank name
State Street Bank Boston
Routing Number
011000028
Attention
DWS
DDA Number
9903-5552
FBO
(Account name) (Account number)
Credit
(Fund name, Fund number and, if
applicable, class name)
Refer to your account statement for the account name and number. Wire transfers normally take two or more hours to complete. Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain other times.
How to Exchange Shares
Requirements and Limits
Class
Exchanging into Another Fund ($)
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
Requirements and limits with respect to exchanges apply no matter which method you use to make your exchange request. Not all exchange transactions can be processed on the Internet or using the mobile app.
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.
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On the Internet
Register at dws.com 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 an exchange to another DWS fund.
Using the Mobile App
Download the mobile app and register 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 an exchange to another DWS fund.
By Telephone
Call DWS and either use our automated system to request an 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 for a minimum of $50 to another DWS fund on a regular basis. A representative can assist you with establishing this privilege.
By Mail or Expedited Mail
Write a letter to request an exchange that includes the following information: the name(s) of all owners and address as they appear on your account, the full fund name and share class, the account number from which you want to exchange shares, the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange, and the full name of the fund into which you want to exchange. Also include a daytime telephone number in case we have any questions. All owners should sign the letter and it should be mailed to DWS at the appropriate address.
How to Sell Shares
Requirements and Limits
Class
Selling Shares ($)
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 with respect to redemptions apply no matter which method you use to make your redemption request. Not all redemption 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 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 redemption from your account using the desired method from your available options.
Using the Mobile App
Download the mobile app and register 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 redemption from your account using the desired method from your available options.
By Telephone
Call DWS and either use our automated system to request a redemption or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. You may request that a check be sent to the address on the account, or, if you have established the privilege on your account, you may request that your redemption proceeds be sent via the Automated Clearing House system (ACH) to your bank. 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. To establish the ability to request redemptions via ACH, you can either complete the applicable section(s) on the account application when you establish your account or contact a customer service representative for instructions. Transactions via ACH generally take two to three days to be completed. For accounts with $5,000 or more, you may also establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan for a minimum of $50 to be sent on a regular basis as you direct. The $5,000 account minimum requirement does not apply to IRA accounts.
By Mail or Expedited Mail
Write a letter to request a redemption that includes the following information: the name(s) of all owners and address as they appear on your account, the full fund name and share class, the 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 in case we have any questions. All owners should sign the letter and it should be mailed to DWS at 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 requested in writing with a Medallion Signature Guarantee. For more information, please contact DWS (see the telephone number on the back cover).
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By Wire. You may sell shares by wire only if your account is authorized to do so. This privilege must be established on your account before a redemption request can be made. This can either be done by completing the applicable section(s) on the account application when you establish your account or by contacting a customer service representative for instructions. To sell shares by wire, call DWS and either use our automated system to request a redemption or choose to be transferred to a customer service representative to complete your request. We must receive your request by the time the fund calculates its share price on any given business day in order to wire the redemption proceeds to your account the next business day. You will be paid for redeemed shares by wire transfer of funds to your bank upon receipt of a duly authorized redemption request. For your protection, you may not change the destination bank account over the telephone.
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”) for your plan. Please contact your shareholder servicing agent for more information on how to open a fund account and for details on how to buy, sell and exchange Class R shares. 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.
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.
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 financial institution that is authorized to act as a shareholder servicing agent for your plan or program. Please contact your shareholder servicing agent for more information on how to open a fund account and for details on how to buy, sell and exchange Class R6 shares.
Shareholder servicing agents may charge additional fees to investors for those services, such as cash management or special trust or retirement investment reporting. In addition, the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay, out of their own respective assets, and not as an additional charge to the fund, various recordkeeping, administrative and/or other fees to selected retirement plan platform providers and recordkeepers, for services provided with respect to Class R6 shares of the fund included on such platforms (see the “Financial Intermediary Support Payments” section of the prospectus for more information).
There is no minimum investment with respect to Class R6 shares.
Instructions for buying, selling and exchanging 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.
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.
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.
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Please note that a financial representative or other intermediary may charge fees separate from those charged by the fund and may be compensated by the fund.
Policies About Transactions
The fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The 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 the 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 the 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 the 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, the 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 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 the 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, the 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; suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem and close an existing account. Specifically, the 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 the fund. The fund is not required to provide justification to a potential or existing shareholder for taking any such action. Please be advised that if the 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 the 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. The 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. The 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.
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Sub-Minimum Balances for Class S. The 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. The 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 intermediary; (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 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 the 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 the 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 the fund (e.g., “time zone arbitrage”). The 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.
The fund also reserves the right to reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason without prior notice. For example, the fund may in its discretion reject or cancel a purchase or an exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to the 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 the fund. The fund, through its Advisor and transfer agent, will monitor changes in investment direction (CID) transactions that exceed a certain dollar amount by a shareholder within a fund within a specified time period. A CID transaction is a transaction opposite to the prior transaction, which can be a purchase, redemption or exchange of the same fund. The fund may take other trading activity into account if the fund believes such activity is of an amount or frequency that may be harmful to long-term shareholders or disruptive to portfolio management. The Advisor’s practices for identifying excessive short-term trading activity (e.g., the number of CID transactions, the dollar threshold and the time period) may change from time to time. If the Advisor determines that an investor has engaged in excessive short-term trading, the Advisor may issue the shareholder and/or the shareholder’s financial intermediary, if any, a written warning and/or may block the shareholder from further purchases of or exchanges into the fund’s shares.
The fund reserves the right to maintain a block indefinitely 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 a block on purchases and exchanges.
The fund may make exceptions to the 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 the fund, such as, but not limited to, systematic transactions, required minimum retirement distributions, transactions initiated by the fund or administrator and transactions by certain qualified funds-of-funds.
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In certain circumstances where shareholders hold shares of the fund through a financial intermediary, the 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 the 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 the fund that provide a substantially similar level of protection for the 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 the 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 the fund. (See “How the 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 the fund’s shares), short-term and/or excessive trading of fund shares could adversely affect long-term shareholders in the fund. If short-term or excessive trading is identified, the Advisor will take appropriate action.
The 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 the 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. The 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
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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 DWS at the address on the back cover.
Responsibility for fraud. The fund and its service providers, including DWS, shall not be liable for any loss incurred by reason of the 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.
The fund does not issue share certificates.
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. The fund can only send wires of $1,000 or more and accept wires of $50 or more.
The 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. The 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 the 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. The 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 the 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.
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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. 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
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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 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 the fund reserves the right to redeem in kind (as described under “Other Rights We Reserve”). The 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. The fund may utilize an existing line of credit for temporary coverage in the event of a cash shortfall. The fund may also utilize inter-fund lending, though such use is expected to be rare. The 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 the fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid and/or illiquid investments, the fund may be more likely to pay redemption proceeds by giving you securities.
The 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 the fund or the fair determination of the value of the 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 the fund, please see “Other Rights We Reserve.”
How the 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
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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 the 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 the 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, the 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 the fund’s use of fair value pricing. This is intended to reduce the fund’s exposure to “time zone arbitrage” and other harmful trading practices. (See “Market timing policies and procedures.”)
To the extent that the 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 the 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 the 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 an account application if you don’t provide any required or requested identifying information, or for any other reason
without prior notice, refuse, cancel, limit or rescind any purchase or exchange order; freeze any account (meaning you will not be able to purchase fund shares in your account); suspend account services; and/or involuntarily redeem and close 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 the fund’s best interests or when the 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 charge 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 are subject to market risk until sold, may incur taxes and 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; the 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 the fund’s net assets, whichever is less
change, add or withdraw various services, fees and account policies (for example, we may adjust the fund’s investment minimums at any time)
Financial Intermediary Support Payments
The Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of their own assets and not as an additional charge to the 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 the fund, any recordkeeping/sub-transfer agency/networking fees payable by the fund (generally
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36
Investing in the Fund

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 the fund with “shelf space” or access to a third party platform (including the costs associated with establishing and maintaining the fund on such 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 the 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.
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 the fund serviced and maintained by the financial representative, 0.05% to 0.25% of sales of the 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 the fund or of any particular share class of the 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 the fund. Additional information regarding these revenue sharing payments is included in the 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 the 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 the 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.
Understanding Distributions and Taxes
The fund intends to distribute to its shareholders virtually all of its net earnings. The 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. (The fund’s earnings are separate from any gains or losses stemming from your own purchase and sale of fund shares.) The fund may not always pay a dividend or other distribution for a given period. As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares of the fund will be taxed. The US federal income tax information in this prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the federal income tax and other tax consequences of an investment in shares of the fund.
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Investing in the Fund

The fund intends to distribute investment income and capital gains to its shareholders in November or December and may do so at other times as needed.
In general, your distributions are subject to US federal income tax for the year when they are paid. 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.
The federal income tax status of the 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 the fund for more than
one year
qualified dividend income
gains from the sale of securi-
ties held (or treated as held)
by the 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 the fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, the fund’s yield on those securities would generally be decreased. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the fund. In addition, any investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or amount of the fund’s distributions. If you invest in the fund through a taxable account, your after-tax return could be negatively affected.
Investments in certain debt obligations or other securities may cause the fund to recognize income in excess of the cash generated by them. Thus, the fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements.
The 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 the 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 the fund from domestic and some foreign corporations. It does not include income from investments in debt securities. In addition, the 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 the fund’s shares for the lower tax rates to apply.
Dividends received by the fund from a REIT may be treated as qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received by such REIT.
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Investing in the Fund

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, qualified REIT dividends (i.e., REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income) are eligible for a 20% federal income tax deduction in the case of individuals, trusts and estates. A fund that receives qualified REIT dividends may elect to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. To be eligible to treat distributions from a fund as qualified REIT dividends, a shareholder must hold shares of the fund for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the shares become ex dividend with respect to such dividend and the shareholder must not be under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. If a fund does not elect to pass the special character of this income through to shareholders or if a shareholder does not satisfy the above holding period requirements, the shareholder will not be entitled to the 20% deduction for the shareholder’s share of the fund’s qualified REIT dividend income while direct investors in REITs may be entitled to the deduction.
Certain types of income received by the fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the fund to designate some or all of its distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may (1) constitute taxable income, as unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) for those shareholders who would otherwise be exempt from federal income tax, such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (2) not generally be offset by net operating losses; (3) not be eligible for reduced US withholding for non-US shareholders, including shareholders from tax treaty countries; and (4) cause the fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified organizations” are fund shareholders.
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.
Because certain entities in which the fund invests may not provide complete tax information to the fund until after the calendar year-end, in order to determine how much of the fund’s distributions are taxable to shareholders, the fund may request permission from the Internal Revenue Service each year for an extension of time to issue Form 1099-DIV.
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 the fund, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the fund.
If you invest right before the 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 the fund pays a dividend. In tax-advantaged accounts you generally do not need to worry about this.
If the 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 the fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. Distributions received by the fund from REITs will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
The fund intends to qualify and be treated each year as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), such that the fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources (such income, “qualifying income”). The fund's ability to pursue its investment strategy and achieve its investment objectives may be limited by its intention to qualify as a RIC. The tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and certain other derivative instruments in which the fund invests is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income and gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income. The fund has obtained a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) confirming that the income and gain arising from certain types of commodity-linked notes in which the fund may invest constitute qualifying income under the Code. In addition, the Subsidiary will invest in commodity-linked swaps and futures and certain other commodity-linked derivatives. Income from commodity-linked swaps and futures and certain other commodity-linked derivatives generally does not constitute qualifying income. However, the fund has obtained a private letter ruling from the IRS confirming that income derived from the fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income to the fund. In addition, the IRS has issued regulations under which the fund expects its income attributable to its investment in
Prospectus August 1, 2024
39
Investing in the Fund

the Subsidiary to be treated as qualifying income. If income derived from the fund's investment in the Subsidiary did not constitute qualifying income, the fund might fail to qualify as a RIC.
Another requirement for qualifying for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders is that each fund must satisfy several diversification requirements, including the requirement that at the end of each quarter of its taxable year not more than 25% of the value of a fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than those of the US Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which a fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses. Therefore, the fund may not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the Subsidiary.
If the fund were to fail to meet the income or diversification test for qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes, the fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax and, in the case of a diversification test failure, disposing of certain assets. If the fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, its taxable income and gains would be subject to tax at the fund level, and distributions from earnings and profits would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Such distributions, however, may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individuals and other non-corporate shareholders and for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
The fund is generally required to include in its taxable income its share of the Subsidiary's income, including gains, each year whether or not such income or gains are distributed to the fund. Such income is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary's underlying income. Net losses incurred by the Subsidiary during a year will not flow through to the fund and thus will not be available to offset the fund's income from other investments; such net losses generally cannot be carried forward by the Subsidiary to offset income or gain realized by it in future years. As a result, the fund's investment in the Subsidiary may cause the fund to realize more ordinary income than would be the case if the fund invested directly in the investments held by the Subsidiary.
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 the 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 the fund. For more information, see “Taxes” in the Statement of Additional Information.
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40
Investing in the Fund

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 the fund would have earned (or lost), assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested. This information has
been derived from the financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the fund’s annual report (see “Shareholder reports” on the back cover).
DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund — Class A
 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$11.29
$13.64
$11.50
$8.73
$10.05
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
.27
.22
.15
.11
.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.27
(2.10
)
2.29
2.80
(1.28
)
Total from investment operations
.54
(1.88
)
2.44
2.91
(1.13
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.24
)
(.47
)
(.30
)
(.14
)
(.19
)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.59
$11.29
$13.64
$11.50
$8.73
Total Return (%)b,c
4.83
(13.83
)
21.49
33.59
(11.51
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
92
116
147
92
70
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.28
1.27
1.29
1.33
1.36
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.21
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.22
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.44
1.88
1.15
1.07
1.48
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
68
86
65
74
88
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 August 1, 2024 41 Financial Highlights

DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund — Class C
 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$11.21
$13.54
$11.42
$8.67
$9.97
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
.19
.13
.05
.03
.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.25
(2.08
)
2.27
2.78
(1.27
)
Total from investment operations
.44
(1.95
)
2.32
2.81
(1.19
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.15
)
(.38
)
(.20
)
(.06
)
(.11
)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.50
$11.21
$13.54
$11.42
$8.67
Total Return (%)b,c
3.97
(14.47
)
20.53
32.58
(12.05
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
16
24
24
12
16
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
2.01
2.01
2.02
2.08
2.10
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.96
1.97
1.97
1.97
1.97
Ratio of net investment income (%)
1.70
1.12
.40
.28
.79
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
68
86
65
74
88
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 August 1, 2024 42 Financial Highlights

DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund — Class R
 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$11.36
$13.72
$11.57
$8.79
$10.11
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
.24
.20
.12
.08
.13
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.26
(2.11
)
2.30
2.82
(1.28
)
Total from investment operations
.50
(1.91
)
2.42
2.90
(1.15
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.21
)
(.45
)
(.27
)
(.12
)
(.17
)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.65
$11.36
$13.72
$11.57
$8.79
Total Return (%)b
4.46
(14.02
)
21.16
33.15
(11.65
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
2
2
3
3
2
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.66
1.64
1.67
1.71
1.75
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
1.46
1.47
1.47
1.47
1.47
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.17
1.64
.93
.80
1.26
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
68
86
65
74
88
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus August 1, 2024 43 Financial Highlights

DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund — Class R6
 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$11.21
$13.55
$11.42
$8.67
$9.97
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
.30
.25
.18
.21
.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.26
(2.08
)
2.29
2.71
(1.25
)
Total from investment operations
.56
(1.83
)
2.47
2.92
(1.08
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.27
)
(.51
)
(.34
)
(.17
)
(.22
)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.50
$11.21
$13.55
$11.42
$8.67
Total Return (%)b
5.10
(13.59
)
21.92
33.94
(11.17
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
178
160
117
37
4
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
.91
.90
.91
.95
1.00
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.90
.90
.90
.93
.95
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.74
2.16
1.44
2.04
1.66
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
68
86
65
74
88
a
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b
Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
Prospectus August 1, 2024 44 Financial Highlights

DWS RREEF Real Assets Fund — Institutional Class
 
Years Ended March 31,
 
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$11.21
$13.54
$11.42
$8.67
$9.97
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
.30
.26
.19
.15
.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
.26
(2.08
)
2.27
2.77
(1.25
)
Total from investment operations
.56
(1.82
)
2.46
2.92
(1.08
)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
(.27
)
(.51
)
(.34
)
(.17
)
(.22
)
Net asset value, end of period
$11.50
$11.21
$13.54
$11.42
$8.67
Total Return (%)b
5.10
(13.53
)
21.83
33.94
(11.17
)
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
3,985
5,020
4,815
1,146
340
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions(%)
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.03
1.07
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions(%)
.90
.90
.90
.94
.95
Ratio of net investment income (%)
2.76