# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000747677
**File Stem:** 0000088053-23-000039
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 45222
**Document Hash:** 431f793df31bdae8cced200a118c8b19
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000088053-23-000039.hdr.sgml**: 20230201

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000088053-23-000039

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 3

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230201

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230131

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20230201

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** DEUTSCHE DWS INCOME TRUST
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000747677
- **IRS NUMBER:** 000000000
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0930

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497K
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 002-91577
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23573696

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 875 THIRD AVENUE
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10022-6225
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 212-454-4500

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 875 THIRD AVENUE
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10022-6225

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** DEUTSCHE INCOME TRUST
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20140811

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** DWS INCOME TRUST
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20060207

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** SCUDDER INCOME TRUST
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20000616

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### DWS Short Duration Fund (Series ID: S000031152)

| Class ID   | Class Name          | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000096654 | Class A             | PPIAX           |
| C000096656 | Class C             | PPLCX           |
| C000096657 | Class S             | DBPIX           |
| C000096658 | Institutional Class | PPILX           |
| C000148124 | Class R6            | PPLZX           |

![](graphic3.jpg)

DWS Short Duration Fund

Summary Prospectus \| February 1, 2023

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**/Ticker | **A** | PPIAX | **C** | PPLCX | **R6** | PPLZX | **INST** | PPILX | **S** | DBPIX |

---

Before you invest, you may want to review the fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the fund and its risks. You can find the fund's prospectus, reports to shareholders, Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and other information about the fund online at dws.com/mutualpros. You can also get this information at no cost by e-mailing a request to service@dws.com, calling (800) 728-3337 or asking your financial representative. The Prospectus and SAI, both dated February 1, 2023, as may be revised or supplemented from time to time, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.

**Investment Objective**

The fund's investment objective is to provide high income while also seeking to maintain a high degree of stability of shareholders' capital.

**Fees and Expenses**

These are the fees and expenses you may pay when you buy, hold and sell shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A shares if you and your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in DWS funds. More information about these and other discounts and waivers is available from your financial representative and in Choosing a Share Class in the prospectus (p. 58), Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts Available Through Intermediaries in the prospectus (Appendix B, p. 112) and Purchase and Redemption of Shares in the fund's SAI (p. II-15).

SHAREHOLDER FEES (paid directly from your investment)

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **A** | **C** | **R6** | **INST** | **S** |
| Maximum sales charge (load) <br> imposed on purchases, as % of <br> offering price<br>| 2.25 |  |  |  |  |
| Maximum deferred sales charge <br> (load), as % of redemption <br> proceeds<sup>1</sup> <br>|  | 1.00 |  |  |  |
| Account Maintenance Fee (annually, <br> for fund account balances below <br> $10,000 and subject to certain <br> exceptions)<br>| $20 | $20 |  |  | $20 |

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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES <br> (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **A** | **C** | **R6** | **INST** | **S** |
| Management fee | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.37 |
| Distribution/service (12b-1) fees | 0.25 | 1.00 |  |  |  |
| Other expenses | 0.23 | 0.24 | 0.14 | 0.23 | 0.31 |
| **Total annual fund operating** <br> **expenses**<br>| 0.85 | 1.61 | 0.51 | 0.60 | 0.68 |
| Fee waiver/expense reimbursement | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.22 | 0.18 |
| **Total annual fund operating** <br> **expenses after fee waiver/expense** <br> **reimbursement**<br>| 0.75 | 1.50 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.50 |

---

<sup>1</sup> Investments of $250,000 or more may be eligible to buy Class A shares without a sales charge (load), but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.75% if redeemed within 12 months of the original purchase date.

The Advisor has contractually agreed through January 31, 2024 to waive its fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the fund's total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and acquired fund fees and expenses) at ratios no higher than 0.75%, 1.50%, 0.38%, 0.38% and 0.50% for Class A, Class C, Class R6, Institutional Class and Class S, respectively. The agreement may only be terminated with the consent of the fund's Board.

EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses (including one year of capped expenses in each period) remain the same. Class C shares generally convert automatically to Class A shares after 8 years. The information presented in the Example for Class C reflects the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares after 8 years. See "Class C Shares" in the "Choosing a Share Class" section

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of the prospectus for more information. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Years** | **A** | **C** | **R6** | **INST** | **S** |
| 1 | $300 | $253 | $39 | $39 | $51 |
| 3 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 480 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 497 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 150 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 170 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 199 |
| 5 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 676 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 866 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 272 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 313 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 361 |
| 10 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 1241 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 1698 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 628 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 729 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 830 |

---

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Years** | **A** | **C** | **R6** | **INST** | **S** |
| 1 | $300 | $153 | $39 | $39 | $51 |
| 3 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 480 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 497 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 150 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 170 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 199 |
| 5 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 676 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 866 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 272 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 313 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 361 |
| 10 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 1241 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 1698 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 628 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 729 | &nbsp;&nbsp; 830 |

---

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may mean higher taxes if you are investing in a taxable account. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example, and can affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

**Main investments.** Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated, at the time of purchase, within the top four credit rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (a "NRSRO") (or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality). The fund may invest in securities of varying maturities. The fund normally seeks to maintain an average portfolio duration (a measure of sensitivity to interest rate movements) of no longer than three years by investing in fixed income securities with short-to intermediate-term maturities.

The fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in below investment-grade fixed income securities ("junk bonds") of domestic and foreign issuers which are rated in the fifth and sixth highest credit rating categories by the three major NRSROs (Moody's Investor Services, Inc., Fitch Investors Services, Inc., and Standard and Poor's Ratings Group) or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality, including those whose issuers are located in countries with new or emerging securities markets. Compared to investment-grade debt

securities, junk bonds generally pay higher yields, have higher volatility and higher risk of default on payments of interest or principal.

Fixed income securities in which the fund may invest include US government securities or obligations that are issued or guaranteed by the US Treasury or by agencies or instrumentalities of the US government; obligations backed by such US government securities; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of domestic or foreign corporations, including adjustable rate loans that have a senior right to payment ("senior loans") and other floating rate debt instruments; US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign governments or supranational entities; US dollar-denominated asset-backed securities issued by domestic or foreign entities; non-US dollar-denominated fixed income securities of foreign corporations, foreign governments or supranational entities; mortgage pass-through securities issued by governmental and non-governmental issuers; collateralized mortgage obligations, real estate mortgage investment conduits and commercial mortgage-backed securities; collateralized loan obligations; short-term investments, including money market mutual funds. Portfolio management seeks diversified exposure to higher yielding mortgage, corporate and asset-backed sectors of the investment-grade fixed income markets. Senior loans may have longer trade settlement periods than other types of investments.

The fund invests in short-term investments to meet shareholder withdrawals and other liquidity needs. Short-term investments will be rated at the time of purchase within one of the top two short-term rating categories by a NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the fund's investment advisor to be of similar quality.

The fund may also invest in Rule 144A securities, securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities), repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Transactions involving securities or instruments on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis (e.g., TBA securities) that have settlement dates greater than 35 days and transactions in reverse repurchase agreements are treated as derivatives by the fund and are subject to the fund's policies and procedures with respect to derivatives. Transactions with settlement dates greater than 35 days generally are used for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.

**Management process.** Portfolio management uses a top-down and bottom-up approach, first focusing on sector allocations, then using relative value analysis to select the best securities within each sector. When selecting securities, portfolio management analyzes such factors as credit quality, interest rate sensitivity and spread relationships between individual bonds. Portfolio management may also consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors that it believes to be financially material.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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**Derivatives.** Portfolio management generally may use futures contracts, which are a type of derivative (a contract whose value is based on, for example, indices, currencies or securities), for duration management (i.e., reducing or increasing the sensitivity of the fund's portfolio to interest rate changes) or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains. In addition, portfolio management generally may use forward currency contracts to hedge the fund's exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings, to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities or for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.

The fund may also use other types of derivatives (i) for hedging purposes; (ii) for risk management; (iii) for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains; or (iv) as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions.

**Securities lending.** The fund may lend securities (up to one-third of total assets) to approved institutions, such as registered broker-dealers, banks and pooled investment vehicles.

**Main Risks**

There are several risk factors that could hurt the fund's performance, cause you to lose money or cause the fund's performance to trail that of other investments. The fund may not achieve its investment objective, and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

**Interest rate risk.** When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the effective duration of the fund's debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Interest rates can change in response to the supply and demand for credit, government and/or central bank monetary policy and action, inflation rates, and other factors. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and potential illiquidity and may detract from fund performance to the extent the fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the fund, which may force the fund to sell investments at a time when it is not advantageous to do so, which could result in losses. Senior loans typically have adjustable interest rates. However, because floating rates on senior loans only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates may cause a fluctuation in the fund's value. In addition, extreme increases in prevailing

interest rates may cause an increase in senior loan defaults, which may cause a further decline in the fund's value. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates could adversely affect the income earned by the fund from senior loans. Recently, there have been signs of inflationary price movements. As such, fixed-income and related markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk.

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the benchmark rate for certain floating rate securities, has been phased out as of the end of 2021 for most maturities and currencies, although certain widely used US Dollar LIBOR rates are expected to continue to be published through June 2023 to assist with the transition. The transition process from LIBOR towards its expected replacement reference rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) for US Dollar LIBOR rates has become increasingly well defined, especially following the signing of the federal Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act in March 2022, and the adoption of implementing regulations in December 2022, which will replace LIBOR-based benchmark rates in instruments with no, or insufficient, alternative rate-setting provisions with a SOFR-based rate following the cessation of LIBOR. However, the fund or the instruments in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR by, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity.

**Market disruption risk.** Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The value of the fund's investments may be negatively affected by adverse changes in overall economic or market conditions, such as the level of economic activity and productivity, unemployment and labor force participation rates, inflation or deflation (and expectations for inflation or deflation), interest rates, demand and supply for particular products or resources including labor, and debt levels and credit ratings, among other factors. Such adverse conditions may contribute to an overall economic contraction across entire economies or markets, which may negatively impact the profitability of issuers operating in those economies or markets, including the investments held by the fund. In addition, geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to disruptions in the US and world economies and markets, which may increase financial market volatility and have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the fund and its investments. Adverse market conditions or disruptions could cause the fund to lose money, experience significant redemptions, and encounter operational difficulties. Although multiple asset classes may be affected by adverse market conditions or a particular market disruption, the duration and effects may not be the same for all types of assets.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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Russia's recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to, additional sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy, commodities and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the fund's investments. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.

Other market disruption events include the pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which at times has caused significant uncertainty, market volatility, decreased economic and other activity, increased government activity, including economic stimulus measures, and supply chain disruptions. The full effects, duration and costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are impossible to predict, and the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to evolve including the risk of future increased rates of infection due to significant portions of the population remaining unvaccinated and/or the lack of effectiveness of current vaccines against new variants. The pandemic has affected and may continue to affect certain countries, industries, economic sectors, companies and investment products more than others, may exacerbate existing economic, political, or social tensions and may increase the probability of an economic recession or depression. The fund and its investments may be adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adverse market conditions or particular market disruptions, such as those caused by Russian military action and the COVID-19 pandemic, may magnify the impact of each of the other risks described in this "MAIN RISKS" section and may increase volatility in one or more markets in which the fund invests leading to the potential for greater losses for the fund.

**Inflation risk.** Inflation risk is the risk that the real value of certain assets or real income from investments (the value of such assets or income after accounting for inflation) will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. Inflation, and investors' expectation of future inflation, can impact the current value of the fund's portfolio, resulting in lower asset values and losses to shareholders. This risk may be elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.

**Credit risk.** The fund's performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in the issuer not making timely payments of interest or principal, a security downgrade or an inability to meet a financial obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities.

Because the issuers of high yield debt securities, or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth highest credit rating category), may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities can be more vulnerable

to bad economic news, or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit risk for high yield securities is greater than for higher-rated securities.

Because securities in default generally have missed one or more payments of interest and/or principal, an investment in such securities has an increased risk of loss. Issuers of securities in default have an increased likelihood of entering bankruptcy or beginning liquidation procedures which could impact the fund's ability to recoup its investment. Securities in default may be illiquid or trade in low volumes and thus may be difficult to value.

**Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities risk.** These securities represent interests in "pools" of mortgages or other assets such as consumer loans or receivables held in trust and often involve risks that are different from or possibly more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. When market interest rates increase, the market values of mortgage-backed securities decline. At the same time, however, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow, which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages also tends to increase, which shortens the effective duration of these securities and may expose the fund to a lower rate of return on reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities not backed by a government guarantee may be subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan.

Investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") are asset-backed securities whose underlying assets consist of a "pool" of loans issued in classes or "tranches" that may vary in risk and yield. CLOs may experience substantial losses due to defaults on underlying assets, which will be borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. Investments in CLOs may decrease in value when the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class and such risks may be magnified depending on the tranche of CLO securities in which the fund invests.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.

**High yield debt securities risk.** High yield debt securities, or junk bonds, are generally regarded as speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. High yield debt securities' total return and yield may generally be expected to fluctuate more than the total return and yield of investment-grade debt securities. A real or perceived economic downturn or an increase in market interest rates could cause a decline in the value of high yield debt securities, result in increased redemptions and/or result in increased portfolio turnover, which could result in a decline in net asset value of the fund, reduce liquidity for certain investments and/or increase costs. High yield debt securities are often thinly traded and can be more difficult to sell and value accurately than investment-grade debt securities as there may be no established secondary market. Investments in high yield debt securities could increase liquidity risk for the fund. In addition, the market for high yield debt securities can experience sudden and sharp volatility which is generally associated more with investments in stocks.

**Foreign investment risk.** The fund faces the risks inherent in foreign investing. Adverse political, economic or social developments, as well as US and foreign government actions such as the imposition of tariffs, economic and trade sanctions or embargoes, could undermine the value of the fund's foreign investments, prevent the fund from realizing the full value of its foreign investments or prevent the fund from selling foreign securities it holds. As of January 1, 2021 the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU) customs union and single market, nor is it subject to EU policies and international agreements. The long-term impact of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU is still unknown and could have adverse economic and political effects on the United Kingdom, the EU and its member countries, and the global economy, including financial markets and asset valuations.

Financial reporting standards for companies based in foreign markets differ from those in the US. Additionally, foreign securities markets generally are smaller and less liquid than US markets. To the extent that the fund invests in non-US dollar denominated foreign securities, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the US dollar value of foreign securities or the income or gain received on these securities. In addition, because non-US markets may be open on days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of the foreign securities in the fund's portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the fund's shares.

**Emerging markets risk.** Foreign investment risks are greater in emerging markets than in developed markets. Investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative.

**Prepayment and extension risk.** When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected (extension risk), thus keeping the fund's assets tied up in lower interest debt obligations. Ultimately, any unexpected behavior in interest rates could increase the volatility of the fund's share price and yield and could hurt fund performance. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances.

**Senior loans risk.** The fund invests in senior loans that may not be rated by a rating agency, registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any national securities exchange. Therefore, there may be less publicly available information about them than for registered or exchange-listed securities. The Advisor relies on its own evaluation of the creditworthiness of borrowers, but will consider, and may rely in part on, analyses performed by others. As a result, the fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of the Advisor.

Senior loans may not be considered "securities," and purchasers, such as the fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud and misrepresentation protections of the federal securities laws. Senior loans involve other risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and prepayment and extension risk.

Because affiliates of the Advisor may participate in the primary and secondary market for senior loans, limitations under applicable law may restrict the fund's ability to participate in a restructuring of a senior loan or to acquire some senior loans, or affect the timing or price of such acquisition. The fund also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a senior loan. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a publicly-traded security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. If the Advisor wishes to invest in the publicly traded securities of a borrower, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the borrower to which other lenders have access.

**Forward commitment risk.** When a fund engages in when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions (e.g., TBAs), the fund relies on the counterparty to consummate the sale. Failure to do so may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Such transactions

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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may also have the effect of leverage on the fund and may cause the fund to be more volatile. Additionally, these transactions may create a higher portfolio turnover rate.

**Derivatives risk.** Derivatives involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Risks associated with derivatives may include the risk that the derivative is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates; the risk that derivatives may result in losses or missed opportunities; the risk that the fund will be unable to sell the derivative because of an illiquid secondary market; the risk that a counterparty is unwilling or unable to meet its obligation, which risk may be heightened in derivative transactions entered into "over-the-counter" (i.e., not on an exchange or contract market); and the risk that the derivative transaction could expose the fund to the effects of leverage, which could increase the fund's exposure to the market and magnify potential losses.

**Counterparty risk.** A financial institution or other counterparty with whom the fund does business, or that underwrites, distributes or guarantees any investments or contracts that the fund owns or is otherwise exposed to, may decline in financial health and become unable to honor its commitments. This could cause losses for the fund or could delay the return or delivery of collateral or other assets to the fund.

**Security selection risk.** The securities in the fund's portfolio may decline in value. Portfolio management could be wrong in its analysis of industries, companies, economic trends, ESG factors, the relative attractiveness of different securities or other matters.

**Focus risk.** To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund's performance. The fund may become more focused in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy as a result of changes in the valuation of the fund's investments or fluctuations in the fund's assets, and the fund is not required to reduce such exposures under these circumstances.

**Liquidity risk.** In certain situations, it may be difficult or impossible to sell an investment and/or the fund may sell certain investments at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Unusual market conditions, such as an unusually high volume of redemptions or other similar conditions could increase liquidity risk for the fund, and in extreme conditions, the fund could have difficulty meeting redemption requests.

**Pricing risk.** If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value pricing. In such cases, the value determined for an investment could be different from the value realized upon such investment's sale. As a result, you could pay more than the market value when buying fund shares or receive less than the market value when selling fund shares.

**Securities lending risk.** Securities lending involves the risk that the fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A delay in the recovery of loaned securities could interfere with the fund's ability to vote proxies or settle transactions. The fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for the loaned securities, or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while holding the securities.

**Operational and technology risk.** Cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures that affect the fund's service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses for the fund or impairing fund operations. For example, the fund's or its service providers' assets or sensitive or confidential information may be misappropriated, data may be corrupted and operations may be disrupted (e.g., cyber-attacks, operational failures or broader disruptions may cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential fund information, interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate the fund's net asset value and impede trading). Market events and disruptions also may trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct the fund's operations.

While the fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no assurance that such plans and processes will be effective. Among other situations, disruptions (for example, pandemics or health crises) that cause prolonged periods of remote work or significant employee absences at the fund's service providers could impact the ability to conduct the fund's operations. In addition, the fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers, fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the fund or other market participants.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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**Past Performance**

How a fund's returns vary from year to year can give an idea of its risk; so can comparing fund performance to overall market performance (as measured by an appropriate market index). Past performance may not indicate future results. All performance figures below assume that dividends and distributions were reinvested. For more recent performance figures, go to dws.com (the Web site does not form a part of this prospectus) or call the telephone number included in this prospectus.

CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS (%) (Class A)

These year-by-year returns do not include sales charges, if any, and would be lower if they did. Returns for other classes were different and are not shown here.

![](sdf.jpg)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Returns** | **Period ending** |
| **Best Quarter** | 5.47% | June 30, 2020 |
| **Worst Quarter** | -4.01% | March 31, 2020 |

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Average Annual Total Returns <br>(For periods ended 12/31/2022 expressed as a %)

After-tax returns (which are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes) reflect the historical highest individual federal income tax rates, but do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Class** <br>**Inception**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **1** <br>**Year**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **5** <br>**Years**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **10** <br>**Years**<br>|
| **Class A** before tax\* | 12/2/2002 | -6.58 | 0.74 | 0.91 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After tax on distribu-<br> tions<br>|  | -7.52 | -1.01 | -1.10 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After tax on distribu-<br> tions and sale of fund <br> shares<br>|  | -4.04 | -0.62 | -0.74 |
| **Class C** before tax | 2/3/2003 | -5.20 | 0.40 | 0.38 |
| **INST Class** before tax | 8/26/2008 | -4.22 | 1.45 | 1.40 |
| **Class S** before tax | 12/23/1998 | -4.17 | 1.44 | 1.40 |
| **Bloomberg 1-3** <br>**Year Government/**<br> **Credit**<sup>®</sup> **Index** (reflects <br> no deduction for fees, <br> expenses or taxes)<br>|  | -3.69 | 0.92 | 0.88 |

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Class** <br>**Inception**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; **1** <br>**Year**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; **5** <br>**Years**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; **Since** <br>**Inception**<br>|
| **Class R6** before tax | 8/25/2014 | -4.22 | 1.46 | 1.33 |
| **Bloomberg 1-3** <br>**Year Government/**<br> **Credit**<sup>®</sup> **Index** (reflects <br> no deduction for fees, <br> expenses or taxes)<br>|  | -3.69 | 0.92 | 0.91 |

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<sup>\*</sup> Performance data for Class A is calculated based on the current maximum sales load of 2.25%. From February 11, 2019 until July 14, 2020 the sales load was 0.00%. Prior to February 11, 2019 the sales load was 2.75%

**Management**

**Investment Advisor**

DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.

**Portfolio Manager(s)**

**Thomas J. Sweeney, CFA, Head of Investment Strategy Fixed Income.** Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.

**Jeff Morton, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Fixed Income.** Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2017.

**Lonnie Fox, Senior Portfolio Manager & Team Lead Fixed Income.** Portfolio Manager of the fund. Began managing the fund in 2022.

**Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares**

Minimum Initial Investment ($)

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Non-IRA**  | **IRAs** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **UGMAs/**<br> **UTMAs**<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Automatic** <br> **Investment** <br> **Plans** <br>|
| **A C**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1000  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 500  | 1000 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 500  |
| **R6** |  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A |
| **INST**  | 1000000  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; N/A |
| **S** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2500  | 1000  | 1000 | 1000 |

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For participants in all group retirement plans, and in certain fee-based and wrap programs approved by the Advisor, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class A, C and S shares. For Section 529 college savings plans, there is no minimum initial investment and no minimum additional investment for Class S shares and Class R6 shares. The minimum initial investment for Class S shares may be waived for eligible intermediaries that have agreements with DDI to offer Class S shares in their brokerage platforms when such Class S shares are held in omnibus accounts on such brokerage platforms. In certain instances, the minimum initial investment may be waived for Institutional Class shares. For more information regarding available Institutional Class investment minimum waivers, see "Institutional Class Shares – Investment Minimum" in the "Choosing a Share Class" section of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for Institutional Class and Class R6 shares. The minimum additional investment in all other instances is $50.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023

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To Place Orders

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Mail** | All Requests | DWS<br> PO Box 219151<br> Kansas City, MO 64121-9151<br>|
| **Expedited Mail** | **Expedited Mail** | DWS<br> 430 West 7th Street<br> Suite 219151<br> Kansas City, MO 64105-1407<br>|
| **Web Site** | **Web Site** | dws.com |
| **Telephone** | **Telephone** | (800) 728-3337, M – F 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET |
| **Hearing Impaired** | **Hearing Impaired** | For hearing impaired assistance, please<br> call us using a relay service<br>|

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The fund is generally open on days when the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. If you invest with the fund directly through the transfer agent, you can open a new fund account (Class S shares only) and make an initial investment on the Internet at dws.com, by using the mobile app or by mail. You can make additional investments or sell shares of the fund on any business day by visiting the fund's Web site, by using the mobile app, by mail, or by telephone; however you may have to elect certain privileges on your initial account application. The ability to open new fund accounts and to transact online or using the mobile app varies depending on share class and account type. If you are working with a financial representative, contact your financial representative for assistance with buying or selling fund shares. A financial representative separately may impose its own policies and procedures for buying and selling fund shares.

Class R6 shares are generally available only to certain qualifying plans and programs, which may have their own policies or instructions for buying and selling fund shares. Institutional Class shares are generally available only to qualified institutions. Class S shares are available through certain intermediary relationships with financial services firms, or can be purchased by establishing an account directly with the fund's transfer agent.

**Tax Information**

The fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. Any withdrawals you make from such tax- advantaged investment plans, however, may be taxable to you.

**Payments to Broker-Dealers and** <br> **Other Financial Intermediaries**

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund, the Advisor, and/or the Advisor's affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and

your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Web site for more information.

No such payments are made with respect to Class R6 shares. To the extent the fund makes such payments with respect to another class of its shares, the expense is borne by the other share class.

DWS Short Duration Fund

**Summary Prospectus** February 1, 2023 **DSDF-SUM**

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