N-CSRS 1 sr22912tds.htm DWS TARGET DATE SERIES sr22912tds.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM N-CSRS

Investment Company Act file number:  811-08606

 
DWS Target Date Series
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154-0004
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 250-3220

Paul Schubert
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
 (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Date of fiscal year end:
8/31
   
Date of reporting period:
2/29/2012

ITEM 1.
REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   
 
FEBRUARY 29, 2012
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
 
DWS Target Date Series
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
 
Contents
4 Performance Summaries
24 Portfolio Summaries
26 Investment Portfolios
36 Statements of Assets and Liabilities
40 Statements of Operations
42 Statements of Changes in Net Assets
47 Financial Highlights
66 Notes to Financial Statements
79 Information About Each Fund's Expenses
83 Investment Management Agreement Approval
89 Summary of Management Fee Evaluation by Independent Fee Consultant
93 Account Management Resources
96 Privacy Statement
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, refer to the Account Management Resources information provided in the back of this booklet. We advise you to consider each fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Although allocation among different asset categories generally limits risk, portfolio management may favor an asset category that underperforms other assets or markets as a whole. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate and credit risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Because ETFs trade on a securities exchange, their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. ETFs also incur fees and expenses so they may not fully match the performance of the indexes they are designed to track. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Stocks may decline in value. The fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Target date funds are designed for investors seeking to meet their respective investment goals, such as retirement, around the target date year. The target date is the approximate date when investors plan to start withdrawing their money in the fund. As the fund approaches its target year, the fund will decrease its emphasis on growth of capital and increase its emphasis on current income. The principal value of the funds is not guaranteed at any time, including at the target date. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income at and through retirement.
 
DWS Investments is part of Deutsche Bank's Asset Management division and, within the U.S., represents the retail asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and DWS Trust Company.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summaries February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/29/12
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
6-Month‡
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
5.09%
3.16%
13.73%
1.54%
3.64%
Class B
4.60%
2.30%
12.88%
0.76%
2.86%
Class C
4.70%
2.39%
12.89%
0.79%
2.87%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
          
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-0.95%
-2.78%
11.50%
0.34%
3.03%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
0.60%
-0.70%
12.36%
0.58%
2.86%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
3.70%
2.39%
12.89%
0.79%
2.87%
No Sales Charges
          
Class S
5.13%
3.33%
14.03%
1.78%
3.90%
S&P® Target Date Retirement Income Index+
4.95%
5.51%
12.22%
3.61%
4.90%
Russell® 1000 Index++
13.31%
4.86%
26.25%
1.77%
4.63%
Russell® 2000 Index+++
12.40%
-0.15%
29.48%
1.83%
7.00%
Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
1.76%
6.44%
6.64%
5.98%
5.30%
 
‡ Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/11 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
0.70%
9.52%
0.69%
3.04%
Class B
-0.05%
8.69%
-0.06%
2.27%
Class C
-0.15%
8.66%
-0.05%
2.28%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
        
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-5.09%
7.38%
-0.49%
2.43%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
-3.01%
8.12%
-0.24%
2.27%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
-0.15%
8.66%
-0.05%
2.28%
No Sales Charges
        
Class S
0.95%
9.76%
0.95%
3.29%
S&P® Target Date Retirement Income Index+
3.98%
8.10%
3.12%
4.55%
Russell® 1000 Index++
1.50%
14.81%
-0.02%
3.34%
Russell® 2000 Index+++
-4.18%
15.63%
0.15%
5.62%
Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
5.97%
6.19%
6.09%
5.39%
 
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2011 are 1.29%, 2.01%, 1.98% and 0.97% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
Yearly periods ended February 29
 
The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.
 
+ The S&P Target Date Retirement Income Index seeks to represent investment opportunity generally available in target date funds through an asset allocation which targets an immediate retirement allocation.
 
On December 1, 2011 the S&P Target Date Retirement Income Index replaced Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index because portfolio management believes that it more accurately reflects the fund's asset allocation.
 
++ The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
+++ The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
++++ The Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index that covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including government and credit securities, agency mortgage securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
Net Asset Value and Distribution Information
  
   
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Net Asset Value:
2/29/12
   $ 11.49     $ 11.48     $ 11.48     $ 11.48  
8/31/11
   $ 11.06     $ 11.06     $ 11.05     $ 11.06  
Distribution Information:
Six Months as of 2/29/12:
Income Dividends
   $ .12     $ .08     $ .08     $ .14  
 

Morningstar Rankings — Retirement Income Funds Category as of 2/29/12
Period
Rank
  
Number of Fund Classes Tracked
Percentile Ranking (%)
Class A
1-Year
155
of
269
58
3-Year
164
of
237
69
5-Year
77
of
90
85
10-Year
17
of
20
84
Class B
1-Year
185
of
269
69
3-Year
189
of
237
79
5-Year
88
of
90
97
10-Year
20
of
20
100
Class C
1-Year
180
of
269
67
3-Year
188
of
237
79
5-Year
87
of
90
96
10-Year
19
of
20
94
Class S
1-Year
148
of
269
55
3-Year
155
of
237
65
5-Year
71
of
90
78
10-Year
14
of
20
68
 
Source: Morningstar, Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/29/12
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
6-Month‡
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
6.43%
2.04%
17.16%
0.70%
3.50%
Class B
6.04%
1.19%
16.26%
-0.07%
2.72%
Class C
6.04%
1.19%
16.27%
-0.04%
2.73%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
          
Class A (max 5.75% load)
0.31%
-3.82%
14.87%
-0.49%
2.89%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
2.04%
-1.81%
15.77%
-0.25%
2.72%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
5.04%
1.19%
16.27%
-0.04%
2.73%
No Sales Charges
          
Class S
6.58%
2.21%
17.44%
0.95%
3.74%
S&P Target Date 2015 Index+
6.76%
4.05%
16.42%
3.23%
5.31%
Russell 1000 Index++
13.31%
4.86%
26.25%
1.77%
4.63%
Russell 2000 Index+++
12.40%
-0.15%
29.48%
1.83%
7.00%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
2.73%
8.37%
7.52%
6.36%
5.68%
 
‡ Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/11 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
-1.27%
10.44%
-0.49%
2.60%
Class B
-2.10%
9.57%
-1.25%
1.83%
Class C
-2.01%
9.62%
-1.24%
1.84%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
        
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-6.95%
8.28%
-1.66%
2.00%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
-5.00%
9.01%
-1.43%
1.83%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
-2.01%
9.62%
-1.24%
1.84%
No Sales Charges
        
Class S
-1.03%
10.69%
-0.27%
2.85%
S&P Target Date 2015 Index+
1.53%
10.08%
2.26%
4.59%
Russell 1000 Index++
1.50%
14.81%
-0.02%
3.34%
Russell 2000 Index+++
-4.18%
15.63%
0.15%
5.62%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
7.84%
6.77%
6.50%
5.78%
 
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2011 are 1.26%, 2.06%, 1.97% and 1.03% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
Yearly periods ended February 29
 
The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.
 
+ The S&P Target Date 2015 Index seeks to represent investment opportunity generally available in target date funds through an asset allocation which targets retirement horizon on or around 2015.
 
On December 1, 2011 the S&P Target Date 2015 Index replaced the Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index because portfolio management believes that it more accurately reflects the fund's asset allocation.
 
++ The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
+++ The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
++++ The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of Treasury issues, agency issues, corporate bond issues and mortgage securities.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
Net Asset Value and Distribution Information
  
   
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Net Asset Value:
2/29/12
   $ 11.13     $ 11.11     $ 11.11     $ 11.11  
8/31/11
   $ 10.57     $ 10.55     $ 10.55     $ 10.55  
Distribution Information:
Six Months as of 2/29/12:
Income Dividends
   $ .11     $ .07     $ .07     $ .12  
 

Morningstar Rankings — Target Date 2011-2015 Funds Category as of 2/29/12
Period
Rank
  
Number of Fund Classes Tracked
Percentile Ranking (%)
Class A
1-Year
110
of
158
69
3-Year
91
of
132
69
5-Year
53
of
76
69
10-Year
2
of
5
25
Class B
1-Year
126
of
158
79
3-Year
98
of
132
74
5-Year
65
of
76
85
10-Year
5
of
5
100
Class C
1-Year
125
of
158
79
3-Year
97
of
132
73
5-Year
64
of
76
84
10-Year
4
of
5
75
Class S
1-Year
103
of
158
65
3-Year
89
of
132
67
5-Year
48
of
76
63
10-Year
1
of
5
1
 
Source: Morningstar, Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/29/12
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
6-Month‡
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
7.13%
1.33%
18.65%
0.49%
3.58%
Class B
6.69%
0.56%
17.74%
-0.27%
2.79%
Class C
6.69%
0.63%
17.77%
-0.26%
2.80%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
          
Class A (max 5.75% load)
0.97%
-4.50%
16.33%
-0.69%
2.96%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
2.69%
-2.42%
17.26%
-0.45%
2.79%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
5.69%
0.63%
17.77%
-0.26%
2.80%
No Sales Charges
          
Class S
7.23%
1.58%
18.98%
0.75%
3.83%
S&P Target Date 2020 Index+
7.46%
3.43%
18.22%
2.93%
5.38%
Russell 1000 Index++
13.31%
4.86%
26.25%
1.77%
4.63%
Russell 2000 Index+++
12.40%
-0.15%
29.48%
1.83%
7.00%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
2.73%
8.37%
7.52%
6.36%
5.68%
 
‡ Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/11 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Class A
-2.15%
10.84%
-0.92%
2.50%
Class B
-2.91%
10.01%
-1.66%
1.73%
Class C
-2.99%
9.97%
-1.67%
1.73%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
        
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-7.78%
8.67%
-2.09%
1.89%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
-5.79%
9.46%
-1.84%
1.73%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
-2.99%
9.97%
-1.67%
1.73%
No Sales Charges
        
Class S
-1.91%
11.12%
-0.67%
2.74%
S&P Target Date 2020 Index+
0.58%
10.86%
1.78%
4.54%
Russell 1000 Index++
1.50%
14.81%
-0.02%
3.34%
Russell 2000 Index+++
-4.18%
15.63%
0.15%
5.62%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
7.84%
6.77%
6.50%
5.78%
 
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2011 are 1.32%, 2.18%, 2.04% and 1.06% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
Yearly periods ended February 29
 
The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.
 
+ The S&P Target Date 2020 Index seeks to represent investment opportunity generally available in target date funds through an asset allocation which targets retirement horizon on or around 2020.
 
On December 1, 2011 the S&P Target Date 2020 Index replaced the Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index because portfolio management believes that it more accurately reflects the fund's asset allocation.
 
++ The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
+++ The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
++++ The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of Treasury issues, agency issues, corporate bond issues and mortgage securities.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
Net Asset Value and Distribution Information
  
   
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Net Asset Value:
2/29/12
   $ 13.39     $ 13.31     $ 13.32     $ 13.40  
8/31/11
   $ 12.74     $ 12.62     $ 12.63     $ 12.77  
Distribution Information:
Six Months as of 2/29/12:
Income Dividends
   $ .24     $ .14     $ .14     $ .27  
 

Morningstar Rankings — Target Date 2016-2020 Funds Category as of 2/29/12
Period
Rank
  
Number of Fund Classes Tracked
Percentile Ranking (%)
Class A
1-Year
170
of
208
81
3-Year
124
of
190
65
5-Year
104
of
131
79
10-Year
18
of
21
85
Class B
1-Year
186
of
208
89
3-Year
148
of
190
78
5-Year
120
of
131
91
10-Year
21
of
21
100
Class C
1-Year
185
of
208
89
3-Year
146
of
190
77
5-Year
119
of
131
90
10-Year
20
of
21
95
Class S
1-Year
160
of
208
77
3-Year
115
of
190
61
5-Year
100
of
131
76
10-Year
14
of
21
65
 
Source: Morningstar, Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/29/12
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
6-Month‡
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
Life of Fund*
Class A
8.14%
-0.29%
21.48%
-0.13%
3.62%
Class B
7.81%
-1.04%
20.64%
-0.87%
2.86%
Class C
7.70%
-1.14%
20.60%
-0.89%
2.84%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
          
Class A (max 5.75% load)
1.93%
-6.03%
19.11%
-1.31%
2.79%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
3.81%
-3.99%
20.18%
-1.04%
2.86%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
6.70%
-1.14%
20.60%
-0.89%
2.84%
No Sales Charges
          
Class S
8.30%
-0.04%
21.79%
0.13%
3.88%
S&P Target Date 2030 Index+
8.53%
2.30%
21.10%
2.21%
5.28%
Russell 1000 Index++
13.31%
4.86%
26.25%
1.77%
5.20%
Russell 2000 Index+++
12.40%
-0.15%
29.48%
1.83%
5.97%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
2.73%
8.37%
7.52%
6.36%
5.48%
 
‡ Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2004. Index returns began on October 31, 2004.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/11 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1-Year
3-Year
5-Year
Life of Fund*
Class A
-4.57%
11.49%
-1.93%
2.42%
Class B
-5.38%
10.64%
-2.65%
1.66%
Class C
-5.28%
10.64%
-2.65%
1.66%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
        
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-10.06%
9.31%
-3.09%
1.58%
Class B (max 4.00% CDSC)
-8.20%
10.09%
-2.82%
1.66%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
-5.28%
10.64%
-2.65%
1.66%
No Sales Charges
        
Class S
-4.33%
11.77%
-1.67%
2.68%
S&P Target Date 2030 Index+
-1.17%
11.87%
0.75%
4.28%
Russell 1000 Index++
1.50%
14.81%
-0.02%
4.00%
Russell 2000 Index+++
-4.18%
15.63%
0.15%
4.76%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
7.84%
6.77%
6.50%
5.48%
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2004. Index returns began on October 31, 2004.
 
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2011 are 1.48%, 2.24%, 2.18% and 1.23% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class S shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
Yearly periods ended February 29
 
The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2004. Index returns began on October 31, 2004.
 
+ The S&P Target Date 2030 Index seeks to represent investment opportunity generally available in target date funds through an asset allocation which targets retirement horizon on or around 2030.
 
On December 1, 2011 the S&P Target Date 2030 Index replaced the Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index because portfolio management believes that it more accurately reflects the fund's asset allocation.
 
++ The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
+++ The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
++++ The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of Treasury issues, agency issues, corporate bond issues and mortgage securities.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
Net Asset Value and Distribution Information
  
   
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Net Asset Value:
2/29/12
   $ 9.70     $ 9.70     $ 9.69     $ 9.70  
8/31/11
   $ 9.10     $ 9.06     $ 9.06     $ 9.11  
Distribution Information:
Six Months as of 2/29/12:
Income Dividends
   $ .13     $ .06     $ .06     $ .15  
 

Morningstar Rankings — Target Date 2026-2030 Funds Category as of 2/29/12
Period
Rank
  
Number of Fund Classes Tracked
Percentile Ranking (%)
Class A
1-Year
176
of
207
85
3-Year
110
of
190
58
5-Year
107
of
131
81
Class B
1-Year
190
of
207
91
3-Year
148
of
190
78
5-Year
119
of
131
90
Class C
1-Year
192
of
207
92
3-Year
152
of
190
80
5-Year
120
of
131
91
Class S
1-Year
168
of
207
81
3-Year
101
of
190
53
5-Year
102
of
131
77
 
Source: Morningstar, Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 2/29/12
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
6-Month‡
1-Year
3-Year
Life of Fund*
Class A
8.69%
-0.94%
22.17%
-1.19%
Class C
8.16%
-1.68%
21.21%
-1.92%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
        
Class A (max 5.75% load)
2.44%
-6.63%
19.78%
-2.54%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
7.16%
-1.68%
21.21%
-1.92%
No Sales Charges
        
Class S
8.82%
-0.68%
22.53%
-0.92%
S&P Target Date 2040 Index+
9.08%
1.65%
22.85%
0.39%
Russell 1000 Index++
13.31%
4.86%
26.25%
0.63%
Russell 2000 Index+++
12.40%
-0.15%
29.48%
2.73%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
2.73%
8.37%
7.52%
6.28%
 
‡ Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2007. Index returns began on November 30, 2007.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/11 (most recent calendar quarter end)
Unadjusted for Sales Charge
1-Year
3-Year
Life of Fund*
Class A
-5.66%
11.19%
-3.50%
Class C
-6.36%
10.36%
-4.22%
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
      
Class A (max 5.75% load)
-11.08%
9.01%
-4.88%
Class C (max 1.00% CDSC)
-6.36%
10.36%
-4.22%
No Sales Charges
      
Class S
-5.42%
11.47%
-3.26%
S&P Target Date 2040 Index+
-2.17%
12.45%
-1.80%
Russell 1000 Index++
1.50%
14.81%
-1.55%
Russell 2000 Index+++
-4.18%
15.63%
0.56%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index++++
7.84%
6.77%
6.32%
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2007. Index returns began on November 30, 2007.
 
Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated December 1, 2011 are 1.72%, 2.54% and 1.47% for Class A, Class C and Class S shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment (Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)
Yearly periods ended February 29
 
The Fund's growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.
 
* The Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2007. Index returns began on November 30, 2007.
 
+ The S&P Target Date 2040 Index seeks to represent investment opportunity generally available in target date funds through an asset allocation which targets retirement horizon on or around 2040.
 
On December 1, 2011 the S&P Target Date 2040 Index replaced the Russell 1000 Index, Russell 2000 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index because portfolio management believes that it more accurately reflects the fund's asset allocation.
 
++ The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
+++ The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
++++ The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of Treasury issues, agency issues, corporate bond issues and mortgage securities.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Net Asset Value and Distribution Information
  
   
Class A
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Net Asset Value:
2/29/12
   $ 8.31     $ 8.30     $ 8.32  
8/31/11
   $ 7.92     $ 7.89     $ 7.94  
Distribution Information:
Six Months as of 2/29/12:
Income Dividends
   $ .10     $ .05     $ .12  
Capital Gain Distributions
   $ .17     $ .17     $ .17  
 

Morningstar Rankings — Target Date 2036-2040 Funds Category as of 2/29/12
Period
Rank
  
Number of Fund Classes Tracked
Percentile Ranking (%)
Class A
1-Year
169
of
205
82
3-Year
135
of
187
72
Class C
1-Year
181
of
205
88
3-Year
172
of
187
92
Class S
1-Year
164
of
205
80
3-Year
121
of
187
64
 
Source: Morningstar, Inc. Rankings are historical and do not guarantee future results. Rankings are based on total return unadjusted for sales charges with distributions reinvested. If sales charges had been included, rankings might have been less favorable.
 
Portfolio Summaries (Unaudited)
 
 
 
Investment Portfolios as of February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
   
Shares
    
Value ($)
  
       
Equity — Equity Funds 31.2%
  
DWS Capital Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     51,140       2,989,655  
DWS Diversified International Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     366,693       2,460,513  
DWS Dreman Mid Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     80,198       931,905  
DWS Dreman Small Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     34,043       1,234,410  
DWS EAFE Equity Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     107,495       1,288,860  
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     70,712       1,205,641  
DWS Equity 500 Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     26,600       4,129,701  
DWS Global Thematic Fund "Institutional" (a)
     61,808       1,406,133  
DWS Growth & Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     254,059       4,504,467  
DWS Large Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     23,527       431,947  
DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund "S" (a)
     201,337       2,601,274  
DWS Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     39,980       1,015,501  
DWS Strategic Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     94,845       3,284,473  
DWS Technology Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     73,679       1,153,812  
Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $25,451,360)
       28,638,292  
   
Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds 5.6%
  
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund
     30,442       883,427  
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
     63,374       847,310  
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
     96,630       1,693,924  
Vanguard FTSE All World ex-U.S. Small-Cap Fund
     18,708       1,681,475  
Total Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $4,883,385)
       5,106,136  
   
Fixed Income — Bond Funds 61.6%
  
DWS Core Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,928,304       18,916,664  
DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
     261,222       927,338  
DWS Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     88,221       935,142  
DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund "S" (a)
     984,662       9,984,477  
DWS Global Inflation Fund "Institutional" (a)
     333,766       3,624,696  
DWS High Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     675,343       3,261,905  
DWS U.S. Bond Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,707,122       18,795,417  
Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $57,221,514)
       56,445,639  
   
Market Neutral Fund 1.3%
  
DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional" (a) (Cost $1,150,621)
     120,382       1,165,299  
Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 0.6%
  
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.10% (a) (b) (Cost $500,706)
     500,706       500,706  
 

   
% of Net Assets
    
Value ($)
  
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $89,207,586)+
     100.3       91,856,072  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
     (0.3 )     (247,840 )
Net Assets
     100.0       91,608,232  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $90,188,004. At February 29, 2012, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $1,668,068. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,498,238 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $2,830,170.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
During the period ended February 29, 2012, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $26,329,409 and $26,898,407, respectively. Purchases and sales of non-affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $1,867,325 and $864,178, respectively.
 
EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East
 
FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange
 
MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Assets
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
  
   
Equity Funds
   $ 28,638,292     $ —     $ —     $ 28,638,292  
Exchange-Traded Funds
     5,106,136       —       —       5,106,136  
Bond Funds
     56,445,639       —       —       56,445,639  
Market Neutral Fund
     1,165,299       —       —       1,165,299  
Money Market Funds
     500,706       —       —       500,706  
Total
   $ 91,856,072     $ —     $ —     $ 91,856,072  
 
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the period ended February 29, 2012.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
   
Shares
    
Value ($)
  
       
Equity — Equity Funds 45.2%
  
DWS Capital Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     151,819       8,875,315  
DWS Core Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     375,751       6,662,067  
DWS Diversified International Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     468,428       3,143,151  
DWS Dreman Mid Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     132,524       1,539,934  
DWS Dreman Small Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     89,719       3,253,220  
DWS EAFE Equity Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     259,101       3,106,626  
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     159,980       2,727,657  
DWS Equity 500 Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     73,830       11,462,177  
DWS Equity Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     219,773       7,610,739  
DWS Global Thematic Fund "Institutional" (a)
     70,623       1,606,676  
DWS International Fund "Institutional" (a)
     37,501       1,537,925  
DWS Large Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     60,868       1,117,545  
DWS RREEF Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
     57,260       1,136,041  
DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund "S" (a)
     555,492       7,176,953  
DWS Small Cap Core Fund "S"* (a)
     77,503       1,440,785  
DWS Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     84,675       2,150,739  
DWS Technology Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     145,821       2,283,558  
Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $59,465,613)
       66,831,108  
   
Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds 10.3%
  
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund
     77,545       1,840,143  
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund
     55,269       1,603,906  
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
     69,614       1,597,641  
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
     109,657       1,466,114  
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund
     182,477       1,822,945  
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
     243,373       4,266,329  
Vanguard FTSE All World ex-U.S. Small-Cap Fund
     29,067       2,612,543  
Total Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $14,529,073)
       15,209,621  
   
Fixed Income — Bond Funds 43.0%
  
DWS Core Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,939,432       19,025,824  
DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
     417,132       1,480,820  
DWS Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     140,674       1,491,144  
DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund "S" (a)
     1,151,322       11,674,401  
DWS Global Inflation Fund "Institutional" (a)
     399,836       4,342,223  
DWS High Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,078,184       5,207,630  
DWS Short Duration Fund "Institutional" (a)
     157,883       1,465,158  
DWS U.S. Bond Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,717,177       18,906,122  
Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $64,546,561)
       63,593,322  
Market Neutral Fund 1.3%
  
DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional" (a) (Cost $1,830,979)
     191,678       1,855,438  
   
Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 0.7%
  
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.10% (a) (b) (Cost $1,077,378)
     1,077,378       1,077,378  
 

   
% of Net Assets
    
Value ($)
  
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $141,449,604)+
     100.5       148,566,867  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
     (0.5 )     (736,107 )
Net Assets
     100.0       147,830,760  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $143,449,069. At February 29, 2012, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $5,117,798. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $9,545,152 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $4,427,354.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
During the period ended February 29, 2012, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $28,258,339 and $36,620,259, respectively. Purchases and sales of non-affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $1,177,455 and $1,299,671, respectively.
 
EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East
 
FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange
 
MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Assets
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
  
   
Equity Funds
   $ 66,831,108     $ —     $ —     $ 66,831,108  
Exchange-Traded Funds
     15,209,621       —       —       15,209,621  
Bond Funds
     63,593,322       —       —       63,593,322  
Market Neutral Fund
     1,855,438       —       —       1,855,438  
Money Market Funds
     1,077,378       —       —       1,077,378  
Total
   $ 148,566,867     $ —     $ —     $ 148,566,867  
 
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the period ended February 29, 2012.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
   
Shares
    
Value ($)
  
       
Equity — Equity Funds 55.3%
  
DWS Capital Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     184,501       10,785,935  
DWS Core Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     959,358       17,009,424  
DWS Diversified International Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     903,056       6,059,503  
DWS Dreman Mid Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     181,858       2,113,187  
DWS Dreman Small Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     137,666       4,991,776  
DWS EAFE Equity Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     487,268       5,842,349  
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     302,390       5,155,747  
DWS Equity 500 Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     125,336       19,458,338  
DWS Equity Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     355,420       12,308,205  
DWS Global Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     61,419       2,395,346  
DWS Global Thematic Fund "Institutional" (a)
     173,199       3,940,278  
DWS International Fund "Institutional" (a)
     50,465       2,069,580  
DWS Large Cap Focus Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     84,795       2,764,305  
DWS Large Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     274,119       5,032,828  
DWS RREEF Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
     94,531       1,875,490  
DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund "S" (a)
     872,359       11,270,874  
DWS Small Cap Core Fund "S"* (a)
     187,340       3,482,649  
DWS Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     137,231       3,485,670  
DWS Technology Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     389,268       6,095,938  
DWS World Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     82,866       1,968,061  
Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $115,459,252)
       128,105,483  
   
Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds 10.3%
  
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund
     117,147       2,779,898  
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund
     77,185       2,239,909  
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
     90,518       2,077,388  
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
     163,779       2,189,725  
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund
     367,548       3,671,805  
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
     449,289       7,876,036  
Vanguard FTSE All World ex-U.S. Small-Cap Fund
     34,058       3,061,133  
Total Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $22,276,904)
       23,895,894  
   
Fixed Income — Bond Funds 33.3%
  
DWS Core Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     2,187,040       21,454,860  
DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
     651,360       2,312,327  
DWS Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     220,500       2,337,297  
DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund "S" (a)
     1,378,760       13,980,629  
DWS Global Inflation Fund "Institutional" (a)
     522,593       5,675,362  
DWS High Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,570,093       7,583,551  
DWS Short Duration Fund "Institutional" (a)
     247,432       2,296,167  
DWS U.S. Bond Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     1,936,659       21,322,613  
Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $77,392,299)
       76,962,806  
Market Neutral Fund 1.0%
  
DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional" (a) (Cost $2,301,244)
     240,748       2,330,445  
   
Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 0.7%
  
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.10% (a) (b) (Cost $1,633,099)
     1,633,099       1,633,099  
 

   
% of Net Assets
    
Value ($)
  
       
Total Long Positions (Cost $219,062,798)+
     100.6       232,927,727  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
     (0.6 )     (1,279,414 )
Net Assets
     100.0       231,648,313  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $221,770,593. At February 29, 2012, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $11,157,134. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $17,972,500 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $6,815,366.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
During year ended February 29, 2012, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $55,392,000 and $41,966,470, respectively. Purchase and sales on non-affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $1,069,565 and $2,261,371, respectively.
 
EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East
 
FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange
 
MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
  
   
Equity Funds
   $ 128,105,483     $ —     $ —     $ 128,105,483  
Exchange-Traded Funds
     23,895,894       —       —       23,895,894  
Bond Funds
     76,962,806       —       —       76,962,806  
Market Neutral Fund
     2,330,445       —       —       2,330,445  
Money Market Funds
     1,633,099       —       —       1,633,099  
Total
   $ 232,927,727     $ —     $ —     $ 232,927,727  
 
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the period ended February 29, 2012.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
   
Shares
    
Value ($)
  
       
Equity — Equity Funds 70.2%
  
DWS Capital Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     101,098       5,910,196  
DWS Core Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     302,628       5,365,586  
DWS Diversified International Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     400,867       2,689,815  
DWS Dreman Mid Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     61,570       715,444  
DWS Dreman Small Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     59,821       2,169,096  
DWS EAFE Equity Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     150,692       1,806,795  
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     120,936       2,061,962  
DWS Equity 500 Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     42,436       6,588,119  
DWS Equity Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     142,085       4,920,394  
DWS Global Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     17,399       678,542  
DWS Global Thematic Fund "Institutional" (a)
     32,691       743,720  
DWS International Fund "Institutional" (a)
     31,964       1,310,836  
DWS Large Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     98,353       1,805,756  
DWS RREEF Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
     31,895       632,795  
DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund "S" (a)
     374,507       4,838,625  
DWS Small Cap Core Fund "S"* (a)
     67,722       1,258,948  
DWS Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     51,676       1,312,571  
DWS Technology Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     128,888       2,018,379  
DWS World Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     36,021       855,490  
Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $42,323,179)
       47,683,069  
   
Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds 13.0%
  
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund
     43,968       1,043,361  
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund
     34,271       994,544  
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
     32,641       749,111  
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
     73,532       983,123  
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund
     97,434       973,366  
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
     145,306       2,547,214  
Vanguard FTSE All World ex-U.S. Small-Cap Fund
     16,775       1,507,737  
Total Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $8,251,559)
       8,798,456  
   
Fixed Income — Bond Funds 15.2%
  
DWS Core Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     157,928       1,549,272  
DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
     187,628       666,080  
DWS Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     63,358       671,592  
DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund "S" (a)
     424,906       4,308,550  
DWS Global Inflation Fund "Institutional" (a)
     60,038       652,011  
DWS High Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     194,451       939,198  
DWS U.S. Bond Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     139,666       1,537,721  
Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $10,418,156)
       10,324,424  
Market Neutral Fund 1.0%
  
DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional" (a) (Cost $660,400)
     69,099       668,876  
   
Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 1.4%
  
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.10% (a) (b) (Cost $923,053)
     923,053       923,053  
 

   
% of Net Assets
    
Value ($)
  
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $62,576,347)+
     100.8       68,397,878  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
     (0.8 )     (509,246 )
Net Assets
     100.0       67,888,632  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $63,374,640. At February 29, 2012, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $5,023,238. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $6,565,036 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $1,541,798.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
During the period ended February 29, 2012, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $13,040,335 and 12,931,969, respectively. Purchases and sales of non-affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $1,236,990 and $915,979, respectively.
 
EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East
 
FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange
 
MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Assets
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
  
   
Equity Funds
   $ 47,683,069     $ —     $ —     $ 47,683,069  
Exchange-Traded Funds
     8,798,456       —       —       8,798,456  
Bond Funds
     10,324,424       —       —       10,324,424  
Market Neutral Fund
     668,876       —       —       668,876  
Money Market Funds
     923,053       —       —       923,053  
Total
   $ 68,397,878     $ —     $ —     $ 68,397,878  
 
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the period ended February 29, 2012.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
   
Shares
    
Value ($)
  
       
Equity — Equity Funds 78.9%
  
DWS Capital Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     60,863       3,558,043  
DWS Core Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     196,134       3,477,465  
DWS Diversified International Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     285,707       1,917,095  
DWS Dreman Mid Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     33,602       390,460  
DWS Dreman Small Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     36,912       1,338,417  
DWS EAFE Equity Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     121,950       1,462,178  
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund "Institutional" (a)
     87,100       1,485,047  
DWS Equity 500 Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     25,653       3,982,555  
DWS Equity Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     87,314       3,023,683  
DWS Global Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional" (a)
     9,728       379,389  
DWS Global Thematic Fund "Institutional" (a)
     34,490       784,652  
DWS International Fund "Institutional" (a)
     20,820       853,811  
DWS Large Cap Value Fund "Institutional" (a)
     54,477       1,000,204  
DWS RREEF Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
     18,134       359,770  
DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund "S" (a)
     220,506       2,848,939  
DWS Small Cap Core Fund "S"* (a)
     37,479       696,730  
DWS Small Cap Growth Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     32,197       817,794  
DWS Technology Fund "Institutional"* (a)
     63,869       1,000,193  
DWS World Dividend Fund "Institutional" (a)
     15,652       371,745  
Total Equity — Equity Funds (Cost $25,324,692)
       29,748,170  
   
Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds 12.8%
  
iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund
     16,751       397,502  
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund
     15,636       453,757  
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
     12,914       296,376  
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund
     50,699       677,846  
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund
     41,348       413,067  
iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund
     78,078       1,368,707  
Vanguard FTSE All World ex-U.S. Small-Cap Fund
     13,604       1,222,727  
Total Equity — Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $4,507,284)
       4,829,982  
   
Fixed Income — Bond Funds 6.6%
  
DWS Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
     104,613       371,375  
DWS Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     34,954       370,508  
DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund "S" (a)
     35,625       361,238  
DWS High Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
     95,934       463,363  
DWS U.S. Bond Index Fund "Institutional" (a)
     84,266       927,772  
Total Fixed Income — Bond Funds (Cost $2,499,931)
       2,494,256  
   
Market Neutral Fund 1.2%
  
DWS Disciplined Market Neutral Fund "Institutional" (a) (Cost $455,235)
     47,679       461,536  
Fixed Income — Money Market Fund 2.2%
  
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.10% (a) (b) (Cost $812,771)
     812,771       812,771  
 

   
% of Net Assets
    
Value ($)
  
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $33,599,913)+
     101.7       38,346,715  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
     (1.7 )     (635,545 )
Net Assets
     100.0       37,711,170  
 
* Non-income producing.
 
+ The cost for federal income tax purposes was $33,818,384. At February 29, 2012, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $4,528,331. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,824,732 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $296,401.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
During the period ended February 29, 2012, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $8,026,309 and $4,617,816, respectively. Purchases and sales of non-affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $946,275 and $359,332, respectively.
 
EAFE: Europe, Australasia and Far East
 
FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange
 
MSCI: Morgan Stanley Capital International
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Assets
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
  
   
Equity Funds
   $ 29,748,170     $ —     $ —     $ 29,748,170  
Exchange-Traded Funds
     4,829,982       —       —       4,829,982  
Bond Funds
     2,494,256       —       —       2,494,256  
Market Neutral Fund
     461,536       —       —       461,536  
Money Market Funds
     812,771       —       —       812,771  
Total
   $ 38,346,715     $ —     $ —     $ 38,346,715  
 
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the period ended February 29, 2012.
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
as of February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Assets
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $84,324,201, $126,920,531 and $196,785,894)
   $ 86,749,936     $ 133,357,246     $ 209,031,833  
Investments in non-affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $4,883,385, $14,529,073 and $22,276,904)
     5,106,136       15,209,621       23,895,894  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $89,207,586, $141,449,604 and $219,062,798)
     91,856,072       148,566,867       232,927,727  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
     2,556       21,556       55,131  
Dividends receivable
     20,380       23,393       23,332  
Interest receivable
     86       92       101  
Other assets
     27,393       29,008       29,395  
Total assets
     91,906,487       148,640,916       233,035,686  
Liabilities
  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
     223,036       683,434       1,155,016  
Other accrued expenses and payables
     75,219       126,722       232,357  
Total liabilities
     298,255       810,156       1,387,373  
Net assets, at value
   $ 91,608,232     $ 147,830,760     $ 231,648,313  
Net Assets Consist of
  
Undistributed net investment income
     568,328       797,133       1,702,394  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
     2,648,486       7,117,263       13,864,929  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
     (15,422,019 )     (47,350,049 )     (38,683,362 )
Paid-in capital
     103,813,437       187,266,413       254,764,352  
Net assets, at value
   $ 91,608,232     $ 147,830,760     $ 231,648,313  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of February 29, 2012 (Unaudited) (continued)
  
Assets
  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $54,324,788 and $29,092,629)
   $ 59,599,422     $ 33,516,733  
Investments in non-affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $8,251,559 and $4,507,284)
     8,798,456       4,829,982  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $62,576,347 and $33,599,913)
     68,397,878       38,346,715  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
     33,932       6,169  
Dividends receivable
     1,462       680  
Interest receivable
     48       36  
Due from Advisor
     —       654  
Other assets
     23,721       22,848  
Total assets
     68,457,041       38,377,102  
Liabilities
  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
     500,686       625,144  
Other accrued expenses and payables
     67,723       40,788  
Total liabilities
     568,409       665,932  
Net assets, at value
   $ 67,888,632     $ 37,711,170  
Net Assets Consist of
  
Undistributed net investment income
     189,136       —  
Distributions in excess of net investment income
     —       (29,789 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
     5,821,531       4,746,802  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
     (4,911,440 )     (325,040 )
Paid-in capital
     66,789,405       33,319,197  
Net assets, at value
   $ 67,888,632     $ 37,711,170  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of February 29, 2012 (Unaudited) (continued)
  
Net Asset Value
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Class A
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 23,572,840     $ 61,576,067     $ 81,353,212  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     2,052,420       5,534,887       6,076,158  
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
   $ 11.49     $ 11.13     $ 13.39  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value)
   $ 12.19     $ 11.81     $ 14.21  
Class B
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 932,010     $ 2,191,841     $ 3,854,829  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     81,153       197,226       289,613  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
   $ 11.48     $ 11.11     $ 13.31  
Class C
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 5,648,702     $ 11,783,336     $ 14,974,403  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     492,181       1,060,682       1,124,384  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
   $ 11.48     $ 11.11     $ 13.32  
Class S
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 61,454,680     $ 72,279,516     $ 131,465,869  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     5,352,267       6,505,480       9,813,874  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
   $ 11.48     $ 11.11     $ 13.40  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of February 29, 2012 (Unaudited) (continued)
  
Net Asset Value
  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Class A
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 39,747,997     $ 20,289,051  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     4,098,707       2,442,142  
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
   $ 9.70     $ 8.31  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value)
   $ 10.29     $ 8.82  
Class B
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 1,259,595       —  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     129,868       —  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
   $ 9.70       —  
Class C
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 4,779,992     $ 232,413  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     493,134       27,997  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price (subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
   $ 9.69     $ 8.30  
Class S
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
   $ 22,101,048     $ 17,189,706  
Shares outstanding of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized
     2,279,359       2,066,267  
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
   $ 9.70     $ 8.32  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Operations
for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Investment Income
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Income distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
   $ 1,200,018     $ 1,815,547     $ 2,431,813  
Dividends
     87,486       223,369       388,950  
Total income
     1,287,504       2,038,916       2,820,763  
Expenses:
Administration fee
     43,165       72,133       104,066  
Services to shareholders
     81,558       159,713       241,970  
Distribution and service fees
     63,498       147,967       193,623  
Custodian fee
     6,794       6,976       7,992  
Audit and tax fees
     21,722       21,048       21,374  
Legal fees
     5,844       6,248       5,886  
Reports to shareholders
     12,004       14,626       20,566  
Registration fees
     23,500       24,290       25,606  
Trustees' fees and expenses
     2,246       3,460       5,046  
Other
     4,244       5,156       4,160  
Total expenses before expense reductions
     264,575       461,617       630,289  
Expense reductions
     (40,939 )     (74,367 )     (82,841 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
     223,636       387,250       547,448  
Net investment income
     1,063,868       1,651,666       2,273,315  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
  
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Sale of affiliated Underlying Funds
     1,242,663       3,315,314       2,645,339  
Sale of non-affiliated Underlying Funds
     155,711       64,969       299,126  
Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
     286,996       364,278       423,064  
      1,685,370       3,744,561       3,367,529  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
     1,627,591       3,640,731       9,476,816  
Net gain (loss)
     3,312,961       7,385,292       12,844,345  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   $ 4,376,829     $ 9,036,958     $ 15,117,660  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Operations for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited) (continued)
  
Investment Income
  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
    
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Income distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
   $ 650,459     $ 340,026  
Dividends
     135,623       78,427  
Total income
     786,082       418,453  
Expenses:
Administration fee
     31,454       16,878  
Services to shareholders
     76,057       41,666  
Distribution and service fees
     74,819       23,856  
Custodian fee
     5,640       5,668  
Audit and tax fees
     21,722       21,544  
Legal fees
     3,976       3,150  
Reports to shareholders
     9,232       8,004  
Registration fees
     23,006       17,894  
Trustees' fees and expenses
     1,822       1,338  
Other
     2,234       1,020  
Total expenses before expense reductions
     249,962       141,018  
Expense reductions
     (70,021 )     (65,674 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
     179,941       75,344  
Net investment income
     606,141       343,109  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
  
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Sale of affiliated Underlying Funds
     1,634,064       (134,037 )
Sale of non-affiliated Underlying Funds
     90,871       15,223  
Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
     65,059       21,921  
      1,789,994       (96,893 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
     2,690,787       2,839,207  
Net gain (loss)
     4,480,781       2,742,314  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   $ 5,086,922     $ 3,085,423  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
  
Six Months Ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
    
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
Operations:
Net investment income
   $ 1,063,868     $ 2,079,681  
Net realized gain (loss)
     1,685,370       3,980,630  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
     1,627,591       1,335,804  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
     4,376,829       7,396,115  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
     (288,886 )     (619,675 )
Class B
     (8,395 )     (22,616 )
Class C
     (42,572 )     (83,937 )
Class S
     (673,065 )     (1,272,345 )
Total distributions
     (1,012,918 )     (1,998,573 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
     11,000,115       13,246,278  
Reinvestment of distributions
     949,662       1,857,229  
Payments for shares redeemed
     (12,139,038 )     (25,376,517 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
     (189,261 )     (10,273,010 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
     3,174,650       (4,875,468 )
Net assets at beginning of period
     88,433,582       93,309,050  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $568,328 and $517,378, respectively)
   $ 91,608,232     $ 88,433,582  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
  
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
  
Six Months Ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
    
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
Operations:
Net investment income
   $ 1,651,666     $ 3,121,608  
Net realized gain (loss)
     3,744,561       5,626,381  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
     3,640,731       9,286,088  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
     9,036,958       18,034,077  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
     (640,602 )     (1,211,886 )
Class B
     (17,920 )     (46,984 )
Class C
     (83,703 )     (140,080 )
Class S
     (811,562 )     (1,419,083 )
Total distributions
     (1,553,787 )     (2,818,033 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
     9,354,923       29,751,711  
Reinvestment of distributions
     1,520,395       2,732,145  
Payments for shares redeemed
     (19,549,330 )     (63,400,011 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
     (8,674,012 )     (30,916,155 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
     (1,190,841 )     (15,700,111 )
Net assets at beginning of period
     149,021,601       164,721,712  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $797,133 and $699,254, respectively)
   $ 147,830,760     $ 149,021,601  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
  
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
  
Six Months Ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
    
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
Operations:
Net investment income
   $ 2,273,315     $ 3,838,909  
Net realized gain (loss)
     3,367,529       5,362,362  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
     9,476,816       15,938,665  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
     15,117,660       25,139,936  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
     (1,502,287 )     (1,475,168 )
Class B
     (45,397 )     (84,614 )
Class C
     (169,327 )     (171,165 )
Class S
     (2,284,134 )     (2,068,106 )
Total distributions
     (4,001,145 )     (3,799,053 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
     32,678,609       36,735,648  
Reinvestment of distributions
     3,911,045       3,705,873  
Payments for shares redeemed
     (23,130,077 )     (58,903,698 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
     13,459,577       (18,462,177 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
     24,576,092       2,878,706  
Net assets at beginning of period
     207,072,221       204,193,515  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,702,394 and $3,430,224, respectively)
   $ 231,648,313     $ 207,072,221  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
  
Six Months Ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
    
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
Operations:
Net investment income
   $ 606,141     $ 841,589  
Net realized gain (loss)
     1,789,994       2,042,061  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
     2,690,787       5,243,074  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
     5,086,922       8,126,724  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
     (559,333 )     (488,313 )
Class B
     (8,276 )     (6,884 )
Class C
     (30,766 )     (19,944 )
Class S
     (330,616 )     (184,779 )
Total distributions
     (928,991 )     (699,920 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
     10,794,454       18,946,505  
Reinvestment of distributions
     924,305       695,197  
Payments for shares redeemed
     (10,220,630 )     (22,917,426 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
     1,498,129       (3,275,724 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
     5,656,060       4,151,080  
Net assets at beginning of period
     62,232,572       58,081,492  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $189,136 and $511,986, respectively)
   $ 67,888,632     $ 62,232,572  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
  
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
  
Six Months Ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
    
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
Operations:
Net investment income
   $ 343,109     $ 361,182  
Net realized gain (loss)
     (96,893 )     1,172,563  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
     2,839,207       1,620,889  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
     3,085,423       3,154,634  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
     (258,922 )     (182,773 )
Class C
     (1,209 )     (713 )
Class S
     (239,720 )     (140,260 )
Net realized gains:
Class A
     (417,665 )     (319,212 )
Class C
     (4,452 )     (3,940 )
Class S
     (325,057 )     (198,324 )
Total distributions
     (1,247,025 )     (845,222 )
Fund share transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold
     8,739,377       13,930,857  
Reinvestment of distributions
     1,247,023       845,178  
Payments for shares redeemed
     (5,393,952 )     (10,509,807 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
     4,592,448       4,266,228  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
     6,430,846       6,575,640  
Net assets at beginning of period
     31,280,324       24,704,684  
Net assets at end of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income and undistributed net investment income of $29,789 and $126,953, respectively)
   $ 37,711,170     $ 31,280,324  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund — Class A
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 11.06     $ 10.47     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.51     $ 12.16  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .13       .24       .25       .36       .40       .38  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .42       .58       .42       (1.36 )     (.98 )     .57  
Total from investment operations
     .55       .82       .67       (1.00 )     (.58 )     .95  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.12 )     (.23 )     (.28 )     (.41 )     (.44 )     (.60 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.49     $ 11.06     $ 10.47     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.51  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     5.09 **     7.81       6.67       (8.29 )     (4.76 )     7.90  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     24       27       31       31       34       47  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     .77 *     .71       .74       .77       .69       .63  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     .62 *     .62       .61       .52       .56       .62  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.37 *     2.12       2.39       3.84       3.24       3.04  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     32 **     37       53       41       48       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund — Class B
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 11.06     $ 10.47     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.52     $ 12.16  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .09       .15       .17       .29       .30       .29  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .41       .58       .42       (1.36 )     (.97 )     .57  
Total from investment operations
     .50       .73       .59       (1.07 )     (.67 )     .86  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.08 )     (.14 )     (.20 )     (.34 )     (.36 )     (.50 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.48     $ 11.06     $ 10.47     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.52  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     4.60 **     7.00       5.87       (8.99 )     (5.46 )     7.16  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     1       1       2       3       6       8  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.50 *     1.43       1.43       1.56       1.42       1.34  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.37 *     1.37       1.36       1.27       1.31       1.34  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.59 *     1.37       1.64       3.09       2.49       2.32  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     32 **     37       53       41       48       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund — Class C
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 11.05     $ 10.46     $ 10.07     $ 11.49     $ 12.52     $ 12.16  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .09       .15       .17       .29       .31       .30  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .42       .58       .42       (1.37 )     (.98 )     .56  
Total from investment operations
     .51       .73       .59       (1.08 )     (.67 )     .86  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.08 )     (.14 )     (.20 )     (.34 )     (.36 )     (.50 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.48     $ 11.05     $ 10.46     $ 10.07     $ 11.49     $ 12.52  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     4.70 **     7.01       5.88       (9.06 )     (5.43 )     7.26  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     6       6       7       8       13       14  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.43 *     1.40       1.40       1.45       1.38       1.34  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.37 *     1.37       1.36       1.27       1.29       1.29  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.62 *     1.37       1.64       3.09       2.51       2.37  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     32 **     37       53       41       48       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund — Class S
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 11.06     $ 10.46     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.51     $ 12.16  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .14       .26       .28       .38       .43       .41  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .42       .59       .41       (1.35 )     (.98 )     .57  
Total from investment operations
     .56       .85       .69       (.97 )     (.55 )     .98  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.14 )     (.25 )     (.31 )     (.44 )     (.47 )     (.63 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.48     $ 11.06     $ 10.46     $ 10.08     $ 11.49     $ 12.51  
Total Return (%)b,c
     5.13 **     8.18       6.84       (8.04 )     (4.52 )     8.18  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     61       54       53       53       71       81  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
     .44 *     .39       .42       .50       .44       .48  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
     .37 *     .37       .36       .27       .30       .37  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.61 *     2.37       2.64       4.09       3.50       3.29  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     32 **     37       53       41       48       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund — Class A
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 10.57     $ 9.70     $ 9.39     $ 11.12     $ 12.47     $ 11.98  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .12       .20       .20       .26       .29       .29  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .55       .85       .33       (1.68 )     (1.20 )     .86  
Total from investment operations
     .67       1.05       .53       (1.42 )     (.91 )     1.15  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.11 )     (.18 )     (.22 )     (.31 )     (.44 )     (.66 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.13     $ 10.57     $ 9.70     $ 9.39     $ 11.12     $ 12.47  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     6.43 **     10.80       5.61       (12.46 )     (7.39 )     9.78  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     62       63       70       77       97       131  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     .67 *     .65       .65       .69       .64       .61  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     .58 *     .58       .57       .48       .51       .57  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.24 *     1.88       2.02       3.05       2.37       2.28  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     20 **     31       51       32       29       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund — Class B
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.11     $ 12.47     $ 11.98  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .08       .12       .13       .20       .19       .19  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .55       .84       .32       (1.69 )     (1.19 )     .86  
Total from investment operations
     .63       .96       .45       (1.49 )     (1.00 )     1.05  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.07 )     (.10 )     (.14 )     (.24 )     (.36 )     (.56 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.11     $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.11     $ 12.47  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     6.04 **     9.88       4.82       (13.14 )     (8.06 )     8.94  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     2       3       7       10       17       24  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.53 *     1.45       1.37       1.48       1.39       1.37  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.33 *     1.33       1.32       1.23       1.26       1.34  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.44 *     1.13       1.27       2.30       1.62       1.51  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     20 **     31       51       32       29       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund — Class C
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.10     $ 12.47     $ 11.97  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .08       .12       .13       .20       .20       .20  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .55       .84       .32       (1.68 )     (1.20 )     .86  
Total from investment operations
     .63       .96       .45       (1.48 )     (1.00 )     1.06  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.07 )     (.10 )     (.14 )     (.24 )     (.37 )     (.56 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.11     $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.10     $ 12.47  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     6.04 **     9.89       4.83       (13.05 )     (8.12 )     8.96  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     12       13       15       18       28       37  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.37 *     1.36       1.34       1.41       1.33       1.31  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.33 *     1.33       1.32       1.23       1.25       1.30  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.50 *     1.13       1.28       2.30       1.63       1.55  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     20 **     31       51       32       29       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund — Class S
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.11     $ 12.45     $ 11.96  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .13       .23       .22       .28       .32       .32  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .55       .84       .33       (1.68 )     (1.19 )     .86  
Total from investment operations
     .68       1.07       .55       (1.40 )     (.87 )     1.18  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.12 )     (.21 )     (.24 )     (.33 )     (.47 )     (.69 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 11.11     $ 10.55     $ 9.69     $ 9.38     $ 11.11     $ 12.45  
Total Return (%)b,c
     6.58 **     10.98       5.89       (12.25 )     (7.10 )     9.97  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     72       70       73       71       100       135  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
     .45 *     .42       .41       .46       .41       .40  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
     .33 *     .33       .32       .23       .26       .35  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.50 *     2.13       2.27       3.30       2.62       2.50  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     20 **     31       51       32       29       21  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund — Class A
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 12.74     $ 11.56     $ 11.21     $ 13.66     $ 15.47     $ 14.29  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .14       .22       .21       .27       .29       .26  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .75       1.18       .36       (2.27 )     (1.55 )     1.35  
Total from investment operations
     .89       1.40       .57       (2.00 )     (1.26 )     1.61  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.24 )     (.22 )     (.23 )     (.37 )     (.55 )     (.43 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.08 )     —       —  
Total distributions
     (.24 )     (.22 )     (.23 )     (.45 )     (.55 )     (.43 )
Increase from regulatory settlements
     —       —       .01 f     —       —       —  
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 13.39     $ 12.74     $ 11.56     $ 11.21     $ 13.66     $ 15.47  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     7.13 **     12.08       5.10 f     (14.08 )     (8.48 )     11.33  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     81       79       80       77       85       100  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     .67 *     .68       .67       .71       .66       .67  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     .59 *     .59       .58       .49       .52       .62  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.16 *     1.70       1.82       2.63       1.96       1.70  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     21 **     26       50       32       31       22  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
f Includes a non-recurring payment from the Advisor which amounted to $0.0004 per share recorded as a result of the Advisor's settlement with the SEC and NY Attorney General in connection with certain trading arrangements. The Fund also received $0.0063 per share of non-affiliated regulatory settlements. Excluding these non-recurring payments, total return would have been 0.06% lower.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund — Class B
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 12.62     $ 11.45     $ 11.11     $ 13.53     $ 15.32     $ 14.15  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .08       .13       .13       .19       .18       .15  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .75       1.16       .34       (2.24 )     (1.54 )     1.33  
Total from investment operations
     .83       1.29       .47       (2.05 )     (1.36 )     1.48  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.14 )     (.12 )     (.14 )     (.29 )     (.43 )     (.31 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.08 )     —       —  
Total distributions
     (.14 )     (.12 )     (.14 )     (.37 )     (.43 )     (.31 )
Increase from regulatory settlements
     —       —       .01 f     —       —       —  
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 13.31     $ 12.62     $ 11.45     $ 11.11     $ 13.53     $ 15.32  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     6.69 **     11.24       4.24 f     (14.69 )     (9.15 )     10.49  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     4       5       10       14       22       28  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.45 *     1.54       1.39       1.47       1.42       1.40  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.34 *     1.34       1.33       1.24       1.28       1.35  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.32 *     .95       1.07       1.88       1.20       .97  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     21 **     26       50       32       31       22  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
f Includes a non-recurring payment from the Advisor which amounted to $0.0004 per share recorded as a result of the Advisor's settlement with the SEC and NY Attorney General in connection with certain trading arrangements. The Fund also received $0.0063 per share of non-affiliated regulatory settlements. Excluding these non-recurring payments, total return would have been 0.06% lower.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund — Class C
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 12.63     $ 11.45     $ 11.11     $ 13.54     $ 15.32     $ 14.15  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .09       .13       .13       .19       .18       .15  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .74       1.17       .34       (2.25 )     (1.52 )     1.33  
Total from investment operations
     .83       1.30       .47       (2.06 )     (1.34 )     1.48  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.14 )     (.12 )     (.14 )     (.29 )     (.44 )     (.31 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.08 )     —       —  
Total distributions
     (.14 )     (.12 )     (.14 )     (.37 )     (.44 )     (.31 )
Increase from regulatory settlements
     —       —       .01 f     —       —       —  
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 13.32     $ 12.63     $ 11.45     $ 11.11     $ 13.54     $ 15.32  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     6.69 **     11.33       4.24 f     (14.74 )     (9.05 )     10.49  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     15       16       18       21       30       40  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.37 *     1.40       1.37       1.44       1.38       1.37  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.34 *     1.34       1.33       1.24       1.27       1.32  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.39 *     .95       1.07       1.88       1.21       1.00  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     21 **     26       50       32       31       22  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
f Includes a non-recurring payment from the Advisor which amounted to $0.0004 per share recorded as a result of the Advisor's settlement with the SEC and NY Attorney General in connection with certain trading arrangements. The Fund also received $0.0063 per share of non-affiliated regulatory settlements. Excluding these non-recurring payments, total return would have been 0.06% lower.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund — Class S
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 12.77     $ 11.58     $ 11.23     $ 13.69     $ 15.50     $ 14.32  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .15       .25       .24       .29       .32       .29  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .75       1.19       .36       (2.28 )     (1.54 )     1.36  
Total from investment operations
     .90       1.44       .60       (1.99 )     (1.22 )     1.65  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.27 )     (.25 )     (.26 )     (.39 )     (.59 )     (.47 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.08 )     —       —  
Total distributions
     (.27 )     (.25 )     (.26 )     (.47 )     (.59 )     (.47 )
Increase from regulatory settlements
     —       —       .01 e     —       —       —  
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 13.40     $ 12.77     $ 11.58     $ 11.23     $ 13.69     $ 15.50  
Total Return (%)b,c
     7.23 **     12.43       5.36 e     (13.90 )     (8.22 )     11.60  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     131       107       96       96       129       153  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
     .42 *     .42       .45       .51       .45       .48  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
     .34 *     .34       .33       .24       .28       .37  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     2.34 *     1.95       2.07       2.88       2.20       1.95  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     21 **     26       50       32       31       22  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
e Includes a non-recurring payment from the Advisor which amounted to $.0004 per share recorded as a result of the Advisor's settlement with the SEC and NY Attorney General in connection with certain trading arrangements. The Fund also received $.0063 per share of non-affiliated regulatory settlements. Excluding these non-recurring payments, total return would have been 0.06% lower.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund — Class A
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 9.10     $ 8.04     $ 7.87     $ 10.26     $ 12.27     $ 11.50  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .09       .12       .11       .13       .14       .10  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .64       1.04       .18       (1.94 )     (1.32 )     1.39  
Total from investment operations
     .73       1.16       .29       (1.81 )     (1.18 )     1.49  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.13 )     (.10 )     (.12 )     (.11 )     (.38 )     (.29 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.47 )     (.45 )     (.43 )
Total distributions
     (.13 )     (.10 )     (.12 )     (.58 )     (.83 )     (.72 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 9.70     $ 9.10     $ 8.04     $ 7.87     $ 10.26     $ 12.27  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     8.14 **     14.44       3.63       (16.57 )     (10.40 )     13.17  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     40       38       40       31       23       21  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     .81 *     .80       .85       1.17       .99       1.00  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     .58 *     .58       .55       .45       .47       .55  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     .96 **     1.30       1.33       1.83       1.27       .88  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     22 **     32       44       40       30       20  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund — Class B
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 9.06     $ 8.02     $ 7.84     $ 10.21     $ 12.21     $ 11.45  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .05       .05       .05       .08       .06       .01  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .65       1.02       .19       (1.92 )     (1.33 )     1.37  
Total from investment operations
     .70       1.07       .24       (1.84 )     (1.27 )     1.38  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.06 )     (.03 )     (.06 )     (.06 )     (.28 )     (.19 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.47 )     (.45 )     (.43 )
Total distributions
     (.06 )     (.03 )     (.06 )     (.53 )     (.73 )     (.62 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 9.70     $ 9.06     $ 8.02     $ 7.84     $ 10.21     $ 12.21  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     7.81 **     13.36       2.98       (17.11 )     (11.09 )     12.26  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     1       1       2       2       3       4  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.59 *     1.56       1.63       2.07       1.80       1.81  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.33 *     1.33       1.30       1.20       1.22       1.30  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     .55 **     .55       .59       1.08       .51       .13  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     22 **     32       44       40       30       20  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund — Class C
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 9.06     $ 8.01     $ 7.83     $ 10.21     $ 12.21     $ 11.44  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .05       .05       .05       .08       .06       .01  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .64       1.03       .19       (1.93 )     (1.33 )     1.38  
Total from investment operations
     .69       1.08       .24       (1.85 )     (1.27 )     1.39  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.06 )     (.03 )     (.06 )     (.06 )     (.28 )     (.19 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.47 )     (.45 )     (.43 )
Total distributions
     (.06 )     (.03 )     (.06 )     (.53 )     (.73 )     (.62 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 9.69     $ 9.06     $ 8.01     $ 7.83     $ 10.21     $ 12.21  
Total Return (%)b,c,d
     7.70 **     13.50       2.99       (17.22 )     (11.09 )     12.35  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     5       5       5       6       8       11  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     1.49 *     1.50       1.54       1.96       1.74       1.74  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     1.33 *     1.33       1.30       1.20       1.23       1.30  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     .56 **     .55       .59       1.08       .51       .13  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     22 **     32       44       40       30       20  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund — Class S
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 9.11     $ 8.05     $ 7.87     $ 10.27     $ 12.29     $ 11.51  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
     .10       .15       .13       .15       .17       .13  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .64       1.04       .19       (1.95 )     (1.33 )     1.40  
Total from investment operations
     .74       1.19       .32       (1.80 )     (1.16 )     1.53  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.15 )     (.13 )     (.14 )     (.13 )     (.41 )     (.32 )
Net realized gains
     —       —       —       (.47 )     (.45 )     (.43 )
Total distributions
     (.15 )     (.13 )     (.14 )     (.60 )     (.86 )     (.75 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 9.70     $ 9.11     $ 8.05     $ 7.87     $ 10.27     $ 12.29  
Total Return (%)b,c
     8.30 **     14.72       4.02       (16.43 )     (10.23 )     13.54  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     22       18       11       7       6       4  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
     .55 *     .55       .59       .97       .77       .78  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
     .33 *     .33       .30       .20       .21       .30  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.07 **     1.55       1.58       2.08       1.52       1.13  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     22 **     32       44       40       30       20  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund — Class A
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
    
Period Ended 8/31/08a
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 7.92     $ 7.14     $ 6.97     $ 8.77     $ 10.00  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomeb
     .08       .09       .08       .08       .06  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .58       .94       .17       (1.74 )     (.96 )
Total from investment operations
     .66       1.03       .25       (1.66 )     (.90 )
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.10 )     (.09 )     (.08 )     (.05 )     (.33 )
Net realized gains
     (.17 )     (.16 )     —       (.09 )     —  
Total distributions
     (.27 )     (.25 )     (.08 )     (.14 )     (.33 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 8.31     $ 7.92     $ 7.14     $ 6.97     $ 8.77  
Total Return (%)c,d,e
     8.69 **     14.34       3.58       (18.67 )     (9.24 )**
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     20       17       17       9       2  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)f
     .94 *     1.02       1.22       2.90       7.14 *
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)f
     .55 *     .55       .54       .49       .49 *
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     .97 **     1.11       1.12       1.32       .86 *
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     15 **     33       39       30       17 **
a For the period from November 15, 2007 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2008.
b Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
c Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
d Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
e Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
f The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund — Class C
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
    
Period Ended 8/31/08a
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 7.89     $ 7.11     $ 6.94     $ 8.73     $ 10.00  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomeb
     .04       .03       .03       .04       .01  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .59       .94       .17       (1.73 )     (.96 )
Total from investment operations
     .63       .97       .20       (1.69 )     (.95 )
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.05 )     (.03 )     (.03 )     (.01 )     (.32 )
Net realized gains
     (.17 )     (.16 )     —       (.09 )     —  
Total distributions
     (.22 )     (.19 )     (.03 )     (.10 )     (.32 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 8.30     $ 7.89     $ 7.11     $ 6.94     $ 8.73  
Total Return (%)c,d,e
     8.16 **     13.53       2.81       (19.43 )     (9.54 )**
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     .2       .2       .2       .2       .3  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)f
     1.69 *     1.84       2.20       3.86       7.87 *
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)f
     1.30 *     1.30       1.28       1.24       1.24 *
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     .53 **     .36       .37       .57       .11 *
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     15 **     33       39       30       17 **
a For the period from November 15, 2007 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2008.
b Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
c Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charge.
d Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
e Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
f The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 

DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund — Class S
  
 
Six Months Ended 2/29/12 (Unaudited)
    
Years Ended August 31,
    
Period Ended 8/31/08a
  
 
2011
    
2010
    
2009
  
Selected Per Share Data
  
Net asset value, beginning of period
   $ 7.94     $ 7.16     $ 6.99     $ 8.79     $ 10.00  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomeb
     .08       .11       .10       .10       .08  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
     .59       .94       .17       (1.74 )     (.96 )
Total from investment operations
     .67       1.05       .27       (1.64 )     (.88 )
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
     (.12 )     (.11 )     (.10 )     (.07 )     (.33 )
Net realized gains
     (.17 )     (.16 )     —       (.09 )     —  
Total distributions
     (.29 )     (.27 )     (.10 )     (.16 )     (.33 )
Net asset value, end of period
   $ 8.32     $ 7.94     $ 7.16     $ 6.99     $ 8.79  
Total Return (%)c,d
     8.82 **     14.60       3.83       (18.32 )     (9.11 )**
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
  
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
     17       14       8       4       2  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)e
     .69 *     .77       .99       2.70       6.98 *
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)e
     .30 *     .30       .29       .24       .24 *
Ratio of net investment income (%)
     1.08 **     1.36       1.37       1.57       1.11 *
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
     15 **     33       39       30       17 **
a For the period from November 15, 2007 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2008.
b Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
c Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
d Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Funds' expenses.
e The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
  
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund (hereinafter referred to individually as "Fund" or collectively as "Funds") are each a diversified series of DWS Target Date Series (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Funds mainly invest in other affiliated DWS funds (the "Underlying DWS Funds") and non-affiliated exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). ETFs and Underlying DWS Funds are collectively referred to as "Underlying Funds." Each Underlying DWS Fund's accounting policies and investment holdings are outlined in the Underlying DWS Funds' financial statements and are available upon request.
 
Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are offered to investors subject to an initial sales charge. Class B shares of the Fund are closed to new purchases, except exchanges or the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. Class B shares were offered to investors without an initial sales charge and are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares six years after issuance. Class C shares are offered to investors without an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares do not automatically convert into another class. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally not available to new investors except under certain circumstances.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as services to shareholders, distribution and service fees and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of each Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Funds' financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by each Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
Investments in the Underlying DWS Funds are valued at the net asset value per share of each class of the Underlying DWS Funds and are categorized as Level 1.
 
ETFs are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade and are categorized as Level 1 securities. ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following each Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
New Accounting Pronouncement. In May 2011, Accounting Standards Update 2011-04 (ASU 2011-04), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, was issued and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. ASU 2011-04 amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The amendments are the result of the work by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. Management is currently evaluating the application of ASU 2011-04 and its impact, if any, on each Fund's financial statements.
 
Federal Income Taxes. Each Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Each Fund is treated as a single corporate taxpayer.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At August 31, 2011, DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $16,127,000, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until August 31, 2012 ($38,000), August 31, 2017 ($1,780,000), August 31, 2018, ($13,711,000) and August 31, 2019 ($598,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
At August 31, 2011, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $49,096,000, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until August 31, 2012 ($7,136,000), August 31, 2017 ($2,422,000), August 31, 2018 ($29,354,000) and August 31, 2019 ($10,184,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
At August 31, 2011, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $39,343,000, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until August 31, 2017 ($1,856,000), August 31, 2018 ($28,041,000) and August 31, 2019 ($9,446,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
At August 31, 2011, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $5,903,000, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until August 31, 2017 ($209,000), August 31, 2018 ($4,779,000) and August 31, 2019 ($915,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
The Funds have reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of August 31, 2011 and have determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Funds' financial statements. The Funds' federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Net investment income from DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, if any, is declared and distributed to shareholders quarterly. Net investment income from DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund, if any, is declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to each Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Funds may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, each Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of a Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Distributions of income and capital gains from the Underlying Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
 
B. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of each Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by each Fund or delegates such responsibility to the Fund's subadvisor.
 
QS Investors, LLC ("QS Investors") acts as investment subadvisor to the Funds. As an investment subadvisor to the Funds, QS Investors renders strategic asset allocation services to the Funds. QS Investors is paid by the Advisor for the services QS Investors provides to the Funds.
 
The Funds do not invest in the Underlying DWS Funds for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, investments within the set limits may represent 5% or more of an Underlying DWS Fund's outstanding shares. At February 29, 2012, DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund held greater than 5% of the following Underlying DWS Fund's outstanding shares: approximately 6% of DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund. At February 29, 2012, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund held greater than 5% of the following Underlying DWS Funds' outstanding shares: approximately 7% of DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund and 5% of DWS Core Fixed Income Fund. At February 29, 2012, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund held greater than 5% of the following Underlying DWS Funds' outstanding shares: approximately 8% of DWS Enhanced Global Bond Fund, 8% of DWS Diversified International Equity Fund, 6% of DWS Core Fixed Income Fund, 6% of DWS S&P 500 Plus Fund, 5% of DWS US Bond Index Fund and 5% of DWS Small Cap Core Fund. At February 29, 2012, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund did not invest in more than 5% of any Underlying DWS Fund.
 
For the period from September 1, 2011 through November 30, 2012, the Advisor has contractually agreed to reimburse or pay certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the Funds' operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest and indirect expenses of Underlying Funds) as a percentage of average daily net assets as follows:
 
LifeCompass Retirement Fund
LifeCompass 2015 Fund
LifeCompass 2020 Fund
LifeCompass 2030 Fund
LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Class A
.62%
.58%
.59%
.58%
.55%
Class B
1.37%
1.33%
1.34%
1.33%
—
Class C
1.37%
1.33%
1.34%
1.33%
1.30%
Class S
.37%
.33%
.34%
.33%
.30%
 
Each Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying DWS Funds and ETFs in which it is invested.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Funds. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Funds pay DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of each Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the Administration Fee for each Fund was as follows:
Administration Fee
  
Total Aggregated
    
Waived
    
Unpaid at February 29, 2012
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
   $ 43,165     $ —     $ 7,300  
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
   $ 72,133     $ —     $ 11,713  
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
   $ 104,066     $ —     $ 18,398  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
   $ 31,454     $ —     $ 5,386  
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
   $ 16,878     $ 16,878     $ —  
 
Service Provider Fees. DWS Investments Service Company ("DISC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Funds. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DISC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DISC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DISC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Funds. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the amounts charged to the Funds by DISC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
  
Total Aggregated
    
Waived
    
Unpaid at February 29, 2012
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
  
Class A
   $ 27,660     $ 18,930     $ 5,452  
Class B
     666       666       —  
Class C
     2,476       1,671       29  
Class S
     39,829       19,665       7,921  
    $ 70,631     $ 40,932     $ 13,402  
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 56,291     $ 28,734     $ 13,127  
Class B
     2,755       2,611       121  
Class C
     5,933       2,574       1,339  
Class S
     74,918       40,448       14,023  
    $ 139,897     $ 74,367     $ 28,610  
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 78,844     $ 33,256     $ 43,673  
Class B
     4,150       2,348       1,802  
Class C
     8,680       2,309       6,371  
Class S
     116,718       44,928       34,709  
    $ 208,392     $ 82,841     $ 86,555  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 44,050     $ 44,017     $ 33  
Class B
     1,214       1,214       —  
Class C
     2,792       2,792       —  
Class S
     21,132       20,755       377  
    $ 69,188     $ 68,778     $ 410  
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 22,342     $ 22,133     $ 209  
Class C
     242       242       —  
Class S
     17,502       17,502       —  
    $ 40,086     $ 39,877     $ 209  
 
For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the Advisor reimbursed DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund $47 of sub-recordkeeping expenses for Class S shares.
 
In addition, for the six months ended February 29, 2012, the Advisor reimbursed DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund $8,854 of other expenses.
 
Distribution and Service Fees. Under the Funds' Class B and Class C 12b-1 Plans, DWS Investments Distributors, Inc. ("DIDI"), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee ("Distribution Fee") of 0.75% of average daily net assets of each of Class B and C shares. In accordance with the Funds' Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreements, DIDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class B and C shares. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the Distribution Fees were as follows:
Distribution Fees
  
Total Aggregated
    
Unpaid at February 29, 2012
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
  
Class B
   $ 3,935     $ 564  
Class C
     20,798       3,363  
    $ 24,733     $ 3,927  
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
  
Class B
   $ 9,619     $ 1,344  
Class C
     45,374       7,059  
    $ 54,993     $ 8,403  
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Class B
   $ 15,847     $ 2,247  
Class C
     55,862       8,329  
    $ 71,709     $ 10,576  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
  
Class B
   $ 4,588     $ 702  
Class C
     16,839       2,648  
    $ 21,427     $ 3,350  
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Class C
   $ 816     $ 136  
 
In addition, DIDI provides information and administrative services for a fee ("Service Fee") to Class A, B and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets for each such class. DIDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the Service Fees were as follows:
Service Fees
  
Total Aggregated
    
Waived
    
Unpaid at February 29, 2012
    
Annualized Effective Rate
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
  
Class A
   $ 30,604     $ —     $ 11,082       .25 %
Class B
     1,293       7       388       .25 %
Class C
     6,868       —       2,233       .25 %
    $ 38,765     $ 7     $ 13,703          
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 74,689     $ —     $ 26,461       .25 %
Class B
     3,193       —       979       .25 %
Class C
     15,092       —       4,940       .25 %
    $ 92,974     $ —     $ 32,380          
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 98,011     $ —     $ 33,185       .25 %
Class B
     5,282       —       1,538       .25 %
Class C
     18,621       —       4,214       .25 %
    $ 121,914     $ —     $ 38,937          
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 46,281     $ —     $ 17,977       .24 %
Class B
     1,513       385       276       .18 %
Class C
     5,598       858       1,394       .21 %
    $ 53,392     $ 1,243     $ 19,647          
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
  
Class A
   $ 22,770     $ —     $ 8,444       .24 %
Class C
     270       18       58       .23 %
    $ 23,040     $ 18     $ 8,502          
 
Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. DIDI is the principal underwriter for the Funds. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the six months ended February 29, 2012 for DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund aggregated $186, $641, $5,507, $555 and $567, respectively.
 
In addition, DIDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") from Class B share redemptions occurring within six years of purchase and Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is based on declining rates, ranging from 4% to 1% for Class B and 1% for Class C, of the value of the shares redeemed. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the CDSC for Class B shares aggregated $2,142, $1,388, $5,835 and $774, respectively, for DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and Class C shares aggregated $245, $2,741 and $11, respectively, for DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the CDSC for Class C shares aggregated $143 for DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, DIDI received $119 and $68, respectively, for Class A shares of DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Funds. For the six months ended February 29, 2012, the amounts charged to the Funds by DIMA included in the Statements of Operations under "reports to shareholders" were as follows:
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees
  
Total Aggregated
    
Unpaid at February 29, 2012
  
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
   $ 4,612     $ 1,474  
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
   $ 4,672     $ 1,570  
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
   $ 4,254     $ 806  
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
   $ 4,612     $ 821  
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
   $ 4,490     $ 863  
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Funds paid each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor retainer fees plus specified amounts for various committee services and for the Board Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicle. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund, which is managed by the Advisor. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of Central Cash Management Fund. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. Central Cash Management Fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital.
 
C. Concentration of Ownership
 
From time to time, the Funds may have a concentration of several shareholder accounts holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Funds. At February 29, 2012, there was one shareholder account that held approximately 15% of the outstanding shares of DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund and two shareholder accounts that held approximately 17% and 12% of the outstanding shares of DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund.
 
D. Share Transactions
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
 
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
   
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012
    
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
  
   
Shares
    
Dollars
    
Shares
    
Dollars
  
Shares sold
  
Class A
     177,451     $ 1,953,084       625,028     $ 7,001,633  
Class B
     10       109       1,108       12,470  
Class C
     28,187       312,672       38,380       426,341  
Class S
     785,583       8,734,250       518,544       5,805,834  
            $ 11,000,115             $ 13,246,278  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
  
Class A
     26,241     $ 283,411       54,639     $ 607,558  
Class B
     767       8,283       1,979       21,986  
Class C
     3,486       37,678       6,642       73,851  
Class S
     57,446       620,290       103,780       1,153,834  
            $ 949,662             $ 1,857,229  
Shares redeemed
  
Class A
     (627,800 )   $ (6,935,983 )     (1,205,637 )   $ (13,476,808 )
Class B
     (34,967 )     (383,146 )     (102,319 )     (1,133,919 )
Class C
     (58,841 )     (652,960 )     (167,952 )     (1,873,573 )
Class S
     (375,353 )     (4,166,949 )     (794,346 )     (8,892,217 )
            $ (12,139,038 )           $ (25,376,517 )
Net increase (decrease)
  
Class A
     (424,108 )   $ (4,699,488 )     (525,970 )   $ (5,867,617 )
Class B
     (34,190 )     (374,754 )     (99,232 )     (1,099,463 )
Class C
     (27,168 )     (302,610 )     (122,930 )     (1,373,381 )
Class S
     467,676       5,187,591       (172,022 )     (1,932,549 )
            $ (189,261 )           $ (10,273,010 )
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
 
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
   
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012
    
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
  
   
Shares
    
Dollars
    
Shares
    
Dollars
  
Shares sold
  
Class A
     546,422     $ 5,749,346       1,386,254     $ 14,800,601  
Class B
     143       1,439       3,552       38,168  
Class C
     20,652       216,982       68,855       745,610  
Class S
     322,868       3,387,156       1,305,688       14,167,332  
            $ 9,354,923             $ 29,751,711  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
  
Class A
     61,003     $ 625,835       107,427     $ 1,160,363  
Class B
     1,680       17,244       4,117       44,505  
Class C
     7,215       74,021       11,138       120,712  
Class S
     78,407       803,295       130,448       1,406,565  
            $ 1,520,395             $ 2,732,145  
Shares redeemed
  
Class A
     (1,039,545 )   $ (10,951,638 )     (2,693,350 )   $ (29,116,094 )
Class B
     (111,254 )     (1,165,881 )     (429,962 )     (4,605,548 )
Class C
     (212,284 )     (2,243,272 )     (405,123 )     (4,406,071 )
Class S
     (490,981 )     (5,188,539 )     (2,367,649 )     (25,272,298 )
            $ (19,549,330 )           $ (63,400,011 )
Net increase (decrease)
  
Class A
     (432,120 )   $ (4,576,457 )     (1,199,669 )   $ (13,155,130 )
Class B
     (109,431 )     (1,147,198 )     (422,293 )     (4,522,875 )
Class C
     (184,417 )     (1,952,269 )     (325,130 )     (3,539,749 )
Class S
     (89,706 )     (998,088 )     (931,513 )     (9,698,401 )
            $ (8,674,012 )           $ (30,916,155 )
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
 
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
   
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012
    
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
  
   
Shares
    
Dollars
    
Shares
    
Dollars
  
Shares sold
  
Class A
     632,896     $ 8,061,390       1,651,472     $ 21,428,120  
Class B
     192       2,412       961       12,691  
Class C
     39,108       488,568       75,157       969,629  
Class S
     1,882,425       24,126,239       1,086,176       14,325,208  
            $ 32,678,609             $ 36,735,648  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
  
Class A
     118,696     $ 1,477,770       111,942     $ 1,449,646  
Class B
     3,553       44,061       6,272       80,851  
Class C
     12,014       148,966       11,797       152,184  
Class S
     179,795       2,240,248       156,231       2,023,192  
            $ 3,911,045             $ 3,705,873  
Shares redeemed
  
Class A
     (860,232 )   $ (10,938,099 )     (2,511,735 )   $ (32,725,044 )
Class B
     (122,521 )     (1,530,800 )     (506,878 )     (6,531,780 )
Class C
     (165,681 )     (2,108,033 )     (389,133 )     (5,056,604 )
Class S
     (666,054 )     (8,553,145 )     (1,115,625 )     (14,590,270 )
            $ (23,130,077 )           $ (58,903,698 )
Net increase (decrease)
  
Class A
     (108,640 )   $ (1,398,939 )     (748,321 )   $ (9,847,278 )
Class B
     (118,776 )     (1,481,189 )     (499,645 )     (6,438,238 )
Class C
     (114,559 )     (1,470,499 )     (302,179 )     (3,934,791 )
Class S
     1,396,166       17,810,204       126,782       1,758,130  
            $ 13,459,577             $ (18,462,177 )
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
 
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
   
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012
    
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
  
   
Shares
    
Dollars
    
Shares
    
Dollars
  
Shares sold
  
Class A
     737,256     $ 6,707,917       1,006,910     $ 9,521,517  
Class B
     3,233       29,610       8,226       77,808  
Class C
     21,112       191,528       62,134       596,065  
Class S
     425,501       3,865,399       911,543       8,751,115  
            $ 10,794,454             $ 18,946,505  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
  
Class A
     62,628     $ 556,139       51,473     $ 484,869  
Class B
     899       8,003       703       6,638  
Class C
     3,340       29,695       2,023       19,076  
Class S
     37,215       330,468       19,598       184,614  
            $ 924,305             $ 695,197  
Shares redeemed
  
Class A
     (875,083 )   $ (7,885,106 )     (1,906,708 )   $ (17,842,607 )
Class B
     (20,085 )     (179,463 )     (84,354 )     (805,174 )
Class C
     (37,620 )     (345,453 )     (199,236 )     (1,893,004 )
Class S
     (199,882 )     (1,810,608 )     (251,483 )     (2,376,641 )
            $ (10,220,630 )           $ (22,917,426 )
Net increase (decrease)
  
Class A
     (75,199 )   $ (621,050 )     (848,325 )   $ (7,836,221 )
Class B
     (15,953 )     (141,850 )     (75,425 )     (720,728 )
Class C
     (13,168 )     (124,230 )     (135,079 )     (1,277,863 )
Class S
     262,834       2,385,259       679,658       6,559,088  
            $ 1,498,129             $ (3,275,724 )
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
 
The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:
   
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012
    
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
  
   
Shares
    
Dollars
    
Shares
    
Dollars
  
Shares sold
  
Class A
     676,469     $ 5,319,912       855,046     $ 7,123,918  
Class C
     2,213       17,134       10,217       83,740  
Class S
     436,020       3,402,331       800,407       6,723,199  
            $ 8,739,377             $ 13,930,857  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
  
Class A
     89,496     $ 676,587       60,626     $ 501,985  
Class C
     749       5,660       557       4,609  
Class S
     74,705       564,776       40,892       338,584  
            $ 1,247,023             $ 845,178  
Shares redeemed
  
Class A
     (528,134 )   $ (4,137,425 )     (1,025,883 )   $ (8,385,896 )
Class C
     (4,449 )     (34,689 )     (7,673 )     (63,502 )
Class S
     (154,554 )     (1,221,838 )     (246,568 )     (2,060,409 )
            $ (5,393,952 )           $ (10,509,807 )
Net increase (decrease)
  
Class A
     237,831     $ 1,859,074       (110,211 )   $ (759,993 )
Class C
     (1,487 )     (11,895 )     3,101       24,847  
Class S
     356,171       2,745,269       594,731       5,001,374  
            $ 4,592,448             $ 4,266,228  
 
Information About Each Fund's Expenses
 
As an investor of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in mutual funds. In addition to the ongoing expenses which the Funds bear directly, the Funds' shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Funds invest. These expenses are not included in the Funds' annualized expense ratios used to calculate the expense estimate in the tables. In the most recent six-month period, DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund, DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund and DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund limited the ongoing expenses the Funds bear directly; had they not done so, expenses would have been higher. The examples in the tables are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (September 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
·Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
·Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. An account maintenance fee of $6.25 per quarter for Class S shares may apply for certain accounts whose balances do not meet the applicable minimum initial investment. This fee is not included in these tables. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Class S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Actual Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,050.90     $ 1,046.00     $ 1,047.00     $ 1,051.30  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 3.16     $ 6.97     $ 6.97     $ 1.89  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,021.78     $ 1,018.05     $ 1,018.05     $ 1,023.02  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 3.12     $ 6.87     $ 6.87     $ 1.86  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 366.
Annualized Expense Ratios**
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
.62%
1.37%
1.37%
.37%
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Actual Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,064.30     $ 1,060.40     $ 1,060.40     $ 1,065.80  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.98     $ 6.81     $ 6.81     $ 1.69  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,021.98     $ 1,018.25     $ 1,018.25     $ 1,023.22  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.92     $ 6.67     $ 6.67     $ 1.66  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 366.
Annualized Expense Ratios**
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
.58%
1.33%
1.33%
.33%
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Actual Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,071.30     $ 1,066.90     $ 1,066.90     $ 1,072.30  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 3.04     $ 6.89     $ 6.89     $ 1.75  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,021.93     $ 1,018.20     $ 1,018.20     $ 1,023.17  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.97     $ 6.72     $ 6.72     $ 1.71  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 366.
Annualized Expense Ratios**
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
.59%
1.34%
1.34%
.34%
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Actual Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,081.40     $ 1,078.10     $ 1,077.00     $ 1,083.00  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 3.00     $ 6.87     $ 6.87     $ 1.71  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class B
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,021.98     $ 1,018.25     $ 1,018.25     $ 1,023.22  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.92     $ 6.67     $ 6.67     $ 1.66  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 366.
Annualized Expense Ratios**
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
.58%
1.33%
1.33%
.33%
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended February 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
  
Actual Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,086.90     $ 1,081.60     $ 1,088.20  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.85     $ 6.73     $ 1.56  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
  
Class A
    
Class C
    
Class S
  
Beginning Account Value 9/1/11
   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 2/29/12
   $ 1,022.13     $ 1,018.40     $ 1,023.37  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
   $ 2.77     $ 6.52     $ 1.51  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 366.
Annualized Expense Ratios**
Class A
Class C
Class S
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
.55%
1.30%
.30%
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
Investment Management Agreement Approval
 
The Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Funds' investment management agreements (each an "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DWS") and sub-advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement" and together with the Agreement, the "Agreements") between DWS and QS Investors, LLC ("QS Investors") in September 2011.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreements, shareholders should know that:
 
· In September 2011, all of the Funds' Trustees were independent of DWS and its affiliates.
 
· The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board's Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board's Fixed Income and Quant Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DWS, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Funds' performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by the Funds' independent fee consultant. The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Funds.
 
· The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with their independent counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were also advised by the Funds' independent fee consultant in the course of their review of the Funds' contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the independent fee consultant in connection with their deliberations (the "IFC Report").
 
· In connection with reviewing the Agreements, the Board also reviewed the terms of each Fund's Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
· Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee's findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DWS and its predecessors have managed the Funds since their inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Funds. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in each respective Fund knowing that DWS managed the Fund. DWS is part of Deutsche Bank, a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are significant advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Funds' Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DWS's and QS Investors' personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures. The Board also noted that the Sub-Advisory Agreement of DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund was approved by that Fund's shareholders in July 2010.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of each Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under each Agreement. The Board noted that, under each Agreement, DWS and QS Investors provide portfolio management services to the Funds and that, pursuant to separate administrative services agreements, DWS provides administrative services to each Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DWS to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DWS. The Board also requested and received information regarding DWS's oversight of fund sub-advisors, QS Investors. The Board reviewed the Funds' performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market indices and a peer universe compiled by the independent fee consultant using information supplied by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper"). The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to their benchmark or a peer universe compiled by an independent fund data service), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DWS regarding such funds, along with DWS's remedial plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds.
 
LifeCompass 2015 Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010, the LifeCompass 2015 Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010.
 
LifeCompass 2020 Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010, the LifeCompass 2020 Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 3rd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010.
 
LifeCompass 2030 Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010, the LifeCompass 2030 Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 3rd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010.
 
LifeCompass 2040 Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2010, the LifeCompass 2040 Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2010.
 
LifeCompass Retirement Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010, the LifeCompass Retirement Fund's performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Lipper universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2010.
 
On the basis of this evaluation and the ongoing review of investment results by the Board, the Board concluded that the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DWS and QS Investors historically have been and continue to be satisfactory.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Funds' investment management fee schedules, sub-advisory fee schedules, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper and the independent fee consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Trustees noted that the Funds do not pay any fund-level investment advisory fees, but do bear administrative fees. With respect to the sub-advisory fees paid to QS Investors, the Board noted that the fees are paid by DWS and not directly by the Funds.
 
LifeCompass 2015 Fund. The total management fee rates paid by the LifeCompass 2015 Fund were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses").
 
LifeCompass 2020 Fund. The total management fee rates paid by the LifeCompass 2020 Fund were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses.
 
LifeCompass 2030 Fund. The total management fee rates paid by the LifeCompass 2030 Fund were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses.
 
LifeCompass 2040 Fund. The total management fee rates paid by the LifeCompass 2040 Fund were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses.
 
LifeCompass Retirement Fund. The total management fee rates paid by the LifeCompass Retirement Fund were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2010). The Board noted that the Fund's Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses.
 
The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class's total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered a report prepared by the Funds' independent fee consultant regarding the competitiveness of the Funds' total expenses relative to a more customized peer group. The Board considered the Funds' total management fee rates as compared to fees charged by DWS and certain of its affiliates for comparable mutual funds and considered differences in fund and fee structures between the DWS Funds. The Board also considered how the Funds' total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board also noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DWS helped to ensure that the Funds' total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive.
 
The information considered by the Board as part of its review of management fees included information regarding fees charged by DWS and its affiliates to similar institutional accounts and to similar funds offered primarily to European investors ("DWS Europe funds"), in each case as applicable. The Board observed that advisory fee rates for institutional accounts generally were lower than the management fees charged by similarly managed DWS U.S. mutual funds ("DWS Funds"), but also took note of the differences in services provided to DWS Funds as compared to institutional accounts. In the case of DWS Europe funds, the Board observed that fee rates for DWS Europe funds generally were higher than for similarly managed DWS Funds, but noted that differences in the types of services provided to DWS Funds relative to DWS Europe funds made it difficult to compare such fees.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DWS and QS Investors.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DWS from advising the DWS Funds along with the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DWS from advising the DWS Funds. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DWS and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality. The Board did not receive profitability information with respect to the Funds (which, as noted above, do not pay any investment advisory fees), but did receive such information with respect to the funds in which the Funds invest. The Board also reviewed information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DWS and its affiliates' overall profitability with respect to the DWS fund complex (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DWS and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of many comparable firms for which such data was available. The Board did not consider the profitability of QS Investors with respect to the Funds. The Board noted that DWS pays QS Investors' fee, and its understanding that the Funds' sub-advisory fee schedules were the product of an arm's length negotiation with DWS.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Funds and whether the Funds benefit from any economies of scale. The Board concluded that the Funds' fee schedules represent an appropriate sharing between each Fund and DWS of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Funds at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DWS and QS Investors and Their Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DWS and QS Investors and their affiliates, including any fees received by DWS for administrative services provided to the Funds and any fees received by an affiliate of DWS for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DWS and QS Investors related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DWS and QS Investors related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DWS products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DWS to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of both DWS's chief compliance officer and the Funds' chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DWS compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DWS and its affiliates to compliance matters. The Board also considered the attention and resources dedicated by DWS to the oversight of the investment sub-advisor's compliance program and compliance with the applicable fund policies and procedures.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Funds. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and their counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of each Agreement.
 
Summary of Management Fee Evaluation by Independent Fee Consultant
 
September 26, 2011
 
Pursuant to an Order entered into by Deutsche Investment Management Americas and affiliates (collectively, "DeAM") with the Attorney General of New York, I, Thomas H. Mack, have been appointed the Independent Fee Consultant for the DWS Funds (formerly the DWS Scudder Funds). My duties include preparing an annual written evaluation of the management fees DeAM charges the Funds, considering among other factors the management fees charged by other mutual fund companies for like services, management fees DeAM charges other clients for like services, DeAM's costs of supplying services under the management agreements and related profit margins, possible economies of scale if a Fund grows larger, and the nature and quality of DeAM's services, including fund performance. This report summarizes my evaluation for 2011, including my qualifications, the evaluation process for each of the DWS Funds, consideration of certain complex-level factors, and my conclusions. I served in substantially the same capacity in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
 
Qualifications
 
For more than 35 years I have served in various professional capacities within the investment management business. I have held investment analysis and advisory positions, including securities analyst, portfolio strategist and director of investment policy with a large investment firm. I have also performed business management functions, including business development, financial management and marketing research and analysis.
 
Since 1991, I have been an independent consultant within the asset management industry. I have provided services to over 125 client organizations, including investment managers, mutual fund boards, product distributors and related organizations. Over the past ten years I have completed a number of assignments for mutual fund boards, specifically including assisting boards with management contract renewal.
 
I hold a Master of Business Administration degree, with highest honors, from Harvard University and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science (highest honors) degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. I am an independent director and audit committee financial expert for two closed-end mutual funds and have served in various leadership and financial oversight capacities with non-profit organizations.
 
Evaluation of Fees for each DWS Fund
 
My work focused primarily on evaluating, fund-by-fund, the fees charged to each of the 109 mutual fund portfolios in the DWS Fund family. For each Fund, I considered each of the key factors mentioned above, as well as any other relevant information. In doing so I worked closely with the Funds' Independent Directors in their annual contract renewal process, as well as in their approval of contracts for several new funds (documented separately).
 
In evaluating each Fund's fees, I reviewed comprehensive materials provided by or on behalf of DeAM, including expense information prepared by Lipper Analytical, comparative performance information, profitability data, manager histories, and other materials. I also accessed certain additional information from the Lipper and Morningstar databases and drew on my industry knowledge and experience.
 
To facilitate evaluating this considerable body of information, I prepared for each Fund a document summarizing the key data elements in each area as well as additional analytics discussed below. This made it possible to consider each key data element in the context of the others.
 
In the course of contract renewal, DeAM agreed to implement a number of fee and expense adjustments requested by the Independent Directors which will favorably impact future fees and expenses, and my evaluation includes the effects of these changes.
 
Fees and Expenses Compared with Other Funds
 
The competitive fee and expense evaluation for each fund focused on two primary comparisons:
 
The Fund's contractual management fee (the advisory fee plus the administration fee where applicable) compared with those of a group of typically 12-15 funds in the same Lipper investment category (e.g. Large Capitalization Growth) having similar distribution arrangements and being of similar size.
 
The Fund's total expenses compared with a broader universe of funds from the same Lipper investment category and having similar distribution arrangements.
 
These two comparisons provide a view of not only the level of the fee compared with funds of similar scale but also the total expense the Fund bears for all the services it receives, in comparison with the investment choices available in the Fund's investment category and distribution channel. The principal figure-of-merit used in these comparisons was the subject Fund's percentile ranking against peers.
 
DeAM's Fees for Similar Services to Others
 
DeAM provided management fee schedules for all of its US domiciled fund and non-fund investment management accounts in any of the investment categories where there is a DWS Fund. These similar products included the other DWS Funds, non-fund pooled accounts, institutional accounts and sub-advisory accounts. Using this information, I calculated for each Fund the fee that would be charged to each similar product, at the subject Fund's asset level.
 
Evaluating information regarding non-fund products is difficult because there are varying levels of services required for different types of accounts, with mutual funds generally requiring considerably more regulatory and administrative types of service as well as having more frequent cash flows than other types of accounts. Also, while mutual fund fees for similar fund products can be expected to be similar, there will be some differences due to different pricing conditions in different distribution channels (e.g. retail funds versus those used in variable insurance products), differences in underlying investment processes and other factors.
 
Costs and Profit Margins
 
DeAM provided a detailed profitability analysis for each Fund. After making some adjustments so that the presentation would be more comparable to the available industry figures, I reviewed profit margins from investment management alone, from investment management plus other fund services (excluding distribution) provided to the Funds by DeAM (principally shareholder services), and DeAM profits from all sources, including distribution. A later section comments on overall profitability.
 
Economies of Scale
 
Economies of scale — an expected decline in management cost per dollar of fund assets as fund assets grow — are very rarely quantified and documented because of inherent difficulties in collecting and analyzing relevant data. However, in virtually every investment category that I reviewed, larger funds tend to have lower fees and lower total expenses than smaller funds. To see how each DWS Fund compares with this industry observation, I reviewed:
 
The trend in Fund assets over the last five years and the accompanying trend in total expenses. This shows if the Fund has grown and, if so, whether total expense (management fees as well as other expenses) have declined as a percent of assets.
 
Whether the Fund has break-points in its management fee schedule, the extent of the fee reduction built into the schedule and the asset levels where the breaks take effect, and in the case of a sub-advised Fund how the Fund's break-points compare with those of the sub-advisory fee schedule.
 
How the Fund's contractual fee schedule compares with trends in the industry data. To accomplish this, I constructed a chart showing how actual latest-fiscal-year contractual fees of the Fund and of other similar funds relate to average fund assets, with the subject Fund's contractual fee schedule superimposed.
 
Quality of Service — Performance
 
The quality-of-service evaluation focused on investment performance, which is the principal result of the investment management service. Each Fund's performance was reviewed over the past 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, as applicable, and compared with that of other funds in the same investment category and with a suitable market index.
 
In addition, I calculated and reviewed risk-adjusted returns relative to an index of similar mutual funds' returns and a suitable market index. The risk-adjusted returns analysis provides a way of determining the extent to which the Fund's return comparisons are mainly the product of investment value-added (or lack thereof) or alternatively taking considerably more or less risk than is typical in its investment category.
 
I also received and considered the history of portfolio manager changes for each Fund, as this provided an important context for evaluating the performance results.
 
Complex-Level Considerations
 
While this evaluation was conducted mainly at the individual fund level, there are some issues relating to the reasonableness of fees that can alternatively be considered across the whole fund complex:
 
I reviewed DeAM's profitability analysis for all DWS Funds, with a view toward determining if the allocation procedures used were reasonable and how profit levels compared with public data for other investment managers.
 
I considered whether DeAM and affiliates receive any significant ancillary or "fall-out" benefits that should be considered in interpreting the direct profitability results. These would be situations where serving as the investment manager of the Funds is beneficial to another part of the Deutsche Bank organization.
 
I considered how aggregated DWS Fund expenses had varied over the years, by asset class and in the context of trends in asset levels.
 
I reviewed the structure of the DeAM organization, trends in staffing levels, and information on compensation of investment management and other professionals compared with industry data.
 
Findings
 
Based on the process and analysis discussed above, which included reviewing a wide range of information from management and external data sources and considering among other factors the fees DeAM charges other clients, the fees charged by other fund managers, DeAM's costs and profits associated with managing the Funds, economies of scale, possible fall-out benefits, and the nature and quality of services provided, in my opinion the management fees charged the DWS Funds are reasonable.
 
Thomas H. Mack
 
President, Thomas H. Mack & Co., Inc.
 
Account Management Resources
 
For More Information
  
The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized account information and obtain information on other DWS funds using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account types within Classes A, B, C and S also have the ability to purchase, exchange or redeem shares using this system.
For more information, contact your financial advisor. You may also access our automated telephone system or speak with a DWS Investments representative by calling the appropriate number below:
For shareholders of Classes A, B and C:
(800) 621-1048
For shareholders of Class S:
(800) 728-3337
Web Site
  
www.dws-investments.com
View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor your asset allocation, and change your address, 24 hours a day.
Obtain prospectuses and applications, blank forms, interactive worksheets, news about DWS funds, subscription to fund updates by e-mail, retirement planning information, and more.
Written Correspondence
  
DWS Investments
PO Box 219151
Kansas City, MO 64121-9151
Proxy Voting
  
The fund's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — www.dws-investments.com (click on "proxy voting"at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the fund's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 621-1048.
Portfolio Holdings
  
Following the fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. This form will be available on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on www.dws-investments.com from time to time. Please see the fund's current prospectus for more information.
Principal Underwriter
  
If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact:
DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
(800) 621-1148
Investment Management
  
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset Management, is the investment advisor for the fund. DIMA and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory services to both institutional and retail clients.
DIMA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution engaged in a wide variety of financial services, including investment management, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance.
DWS Investments is the retail brand name in the U.S. for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG and DIMA. As such, DWS is committed to delivering the investing expertise, insight and resources of this global investment platform to American investors.
 
DWS LifeCompass Retirement Fund
   
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
Nasdaq Symbol
  
SUCAX
SUCBX
SUCCX
SCPCX
CUSIP Number
  
23337A 608
23337A 707
23337A 806
23337A 871
Fund Number
  
480
680
780
2080
 
DWS LifeCompass 2015 Fund
   
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
Nasdaq Symbol
  
SPDAX
SPDBX
SPDCX
SPBAX
CUSIP Number
  
23337A 103
23337A 202
23337A 301
23337A 509
Fund Number
  
481
681
781
2081
 
DWS LifeCompass 2020 Fund
   
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
Nasdaq Symbol
  
SUPAX
SUPBX
SUPCX
SPGRX
CUSIP Number
  
23337A 863
23337A 855
23337A 848
23337A 822
Fund Number
  
482
682
782
2082
 
DWS LifeCompass 2030 Fund
   
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
Nasdaq Symbol
  
PLUSX
PLSBX
PLSCX
PPLSX
CUSIP Number
  
23337A 814
23337A 798
23337A 780
23337A 772
Fund Number
  
1084
1284
1384
2084
 
DWS LifeCompass 2040 Fund
   
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class S
Nasdaq Symbol
  
TGTAX
—
TGTCX
TGTSX
CUSIP Number
  
23337A 764
—
23337A 756
23337A 749
Fund Number
  
457
—
757
2057
 
Privacy Statement
FACTS
What Does DWS Investments Do With Your Personal Information?
Why?
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?
The types of personal information we collect and share can include:
· Social Security number
· Account balances
· Purchase and transaction history
· Bank account information
· Contact information such as mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number
How?
All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information, the reasons DWS Investments chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.
 

Reasons we can share your personal information
Does DWS Investments share?
Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders or legal investigations
Yes
No
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you
Yes
No
For joint marketing with other financial companies
No
We do not share
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences
No
We do not share
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
No
We do not share
For non-affiliates to market to you
No
We do not share
 

Questions?
Call (800) 621-1048 or e-mail us at dws-investments.info@dws.com
 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?
DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.; Deutsche Investment Management Americas, Inc.; DeAM Investor Services, Inc.; DWS Trust Company; the DWS Funds
What we do
How does DWS Investments protect my personal information?
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does DWS Investments collect my personal information?
We collect your personal information, for example. When you:
· open an account
· give us your contact information
· provide bank account information for ACH or wire transactions
· tell us where to send money
· seek advice about your investments
Why can't I limit all sharing?
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
· sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
· affiliates from using your information to market to you
· sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
Definitions
Affiliates
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial or non-financial companies. Our affiliates include financial companies with the DWS or Deutsche Bank ("DB") name, such as DB AG Frankfurt and DB Alex Brown.
Non-affiliates
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
Non-affiliates we share with include account service providers, service quality monitoring services, mailing service providers and verification services to help in the fight against money laundering and fraud.
Joint marketing
A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. DWS Investments does not jointly market.
 

 
Rev. 09/2011
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
 
   
ITEM 2.
CODE OF ETHICS
   
 
Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 4.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 5.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 6.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 9.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 10.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
 
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board.  The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Paul K. Freeman, Independent Chairman, DWS Funds, P.O. Box 101833, Denver, CO 80250-1833.
   
ITEM 11.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
 
(a)
The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
 
(b)
There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12.
EXHIBITS
   
 
(a)(1)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
 
(b)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


Form N-CSRS Item F

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Registrant:
DWS Target Date Series
   
   
By:
/s/W. Douglas Beck
W. Douglas Beck
President
   
Date:
April 26, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By:
/s/W. Douglas Beck
W. Douglas Beck
President
   
Date:
April 26, 2012
   
   
   
By:
/s/Paul Schubert
Paul Schubert
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   
Date:
April 26, 2012