UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

 

Filed by Registrant þ  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

o  Preliminary Proxy Statement

þ  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DWS HIGH INCOME TRUST (“KHI”)
DWS MULTI-MARKET INCOME TRUST (“KMM”)
DWS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KTF”)
DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KSM”)
DWS STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST (“KST”)
345 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10154

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 24, 2010

 

 

 

 

This is the formal agenda for the joint annual meeting of KHI, KMM, KTF, KSM and KST (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). It tells you the proposal that will be voted on and the time and place of the joint annual meeting, in the event you choose to attend in person.

 

To the shareholders of the Funds:

 

A joint annual meeting of the shareholders of each Fund will be held May 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m (Eastern time), at the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 (the “Meeting”), to consider the following proposals (each a “Proposal” and, collectively, the “Proposals”):

 

 

 

 

The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business that properly may come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Holders of record of shares of the Funds at the close of business on April 9, 2010 are entitled to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

THE BOARD OF YOUR FUND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ELECT EACH BOARD MEMBER NOMINEE.

For KHI, KMM and KST, to the extent permitted by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, any meeting of shareholders may, by action of the chairman of the meeting, be adjourned without further notice with respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting to a designated time and place, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter; upon motion of the chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be submitted to a vote of the shareholders, and in that case, any adjournment with respect to one or more matters must be approved by the vote of holders of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote with respect to the matter or matters adjourned, and without further notice to the extent permitted by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting that are represented by broker non-votes, may, at the discretion of the proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment.

 

For KTF and KSM, any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.

 

This notice and the related proxy material are being mailed to shareholders on or about April 19, 2010. This proxy is being solicited on behalf of your Fund’s Board.

 

By Order of the Board

 

 

John Millette

Secretary

 

April 16, 2010

 

We urge you to mark, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided or to record your voting instructions by telephone or via the Internet so that you will be represented at the Meeting. If you complete and sign the proxy card (or tell us how you want to vote by voting by telephone or via the Internet), we will vote it exactly as you tell us. If you simply sign the proxy card, we will vote it in accordance with the Board’s recommendation on the Proposal. Your prompt return of the enclosed proxy card (or your voting by telephone or via the Internet) may prevent the necessity and expense of further solicitations. If you have any questions, please call Georgeson Inc., your Fund’s proxy solicitor, at the special toll-free number we have set up for you (1-866-821-2570), or contact your financial advisor.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS

 

The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

 

 

JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

APRIL 16, 2010

 

GENERAL

 

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of each of the DWS funds listed in the enclosed Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), for the annual meeting of each Fund to be held jointly at the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 on May 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time), and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), at which shareholders will be asked to consider the proposals (each a “Proposal” and, collectively, the “Proposals”). The principal executive address of the Funds is 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.

 

This Proxy Statement, along with the enclosed Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the accompanying proxy cards (the “Proxy Card”), is being mailed to shareholders on or about April 19, 2010. It explains what you should know before voting on the matter described herein. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

 

The term “Board,” as used herein, refers to a board of trustees of a Fund. The term “Board Member,” as used herein, refers to a person who serves as a trustee of a Fund (a “Trustee”).

 

The Meeting is being held to consider and to vote on the following Proposals for the Funds, as indicated below and as described more fully herein, and such other matters as properly may come before the Meeting:

 

 

 

 

The Board of each Fund recommends that shareholders vote

FOR the Proposal to elect each Board Member Nominee.

 

The vote required to approve the Proposal is described under “Proposal- Election of Board Members — Required Vote” and “Additional Information — Quorum and Required Vote.”

 

The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business that properly may come before the Meeting.

 

The most recent Annual Report of each Fund, containing audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal years (a “Report”), previously has been furnished to each Fund’s shareholders. An additional copy of a Report will be furnished without charge upon request by writing to a Fund at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, or by calling 1-800-349-4281. Reports also are available on the DWS website at www.dws-investments.com or at the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at www.sec.gov.

PROPOSAL
ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

 

Shareholders of each Fund are being asked to elect Board Members to the Board of their Fund as described below.

 

For KHI, KMM and KST only. Pursuant to each Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated By-Laws, the Board of each Fund has been divided into three (3) classes with Board Members of each class being elected to serve until the third annual meeting following their election.

 

At the Meeting, four (4) Class II Board Members are to be elected by shareholders of a Fund, each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2013 and until such Board Member’s successor is duly elected and qualify or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. The Class II Board Member nominees standing for election at the Meeting are: Ms. Jean Gleason Stromberg and Messrs. Henry P. Becton Jr., Paul K. Freeman and William McClayton.

 

For KTF and KSM only. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of each Fund, the Board of each Fund has authorized, and each Fund has issued, common shares of beneficial interest (the “Common Shares”) and preferred shares of beneficial interest (the “Preferred Shares”). The Common Shares and the Preferred Shares have different powers, rights, preferences and privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions with respect to, among other things, dividends, liquidation, redemption and voting as more fully set forth in the Certificate of Designation for Preferred Shares that established the Preferred Shares. For KTF, the Common Shares were first issued on October 20, 1988 and the Preferred Shares were first issued on July 24, 1989 (Series A, B, C and D) and November 24, 1999 (Series E). For KSM, the Common Shares were first issued on March 22, 1989 and the Preferred Shares were first issued on September 21, 1999. At the Meeting, the holders of the Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two Board Members, and the holders of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, are entitled to elect four Board Members (as described below).

 

Pursuant to each Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Amended and Restated By-Laws, the Board of each Fund, with the exception of the two Board Members elected by the vote of the Preferred Shares as a separate class, has been divided into three (3) classes with Board Members of each class being elected to serve until the third annual meeting following their election. In addition, two Board Members are elected by the Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, to serve until the next annual meeting.

At the Meeting, four (4) Class II Board Members are to be elected by a Fund’s common shareholders and preferred shareholders voting together, each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2013 and until such Board Member’s successor is duly elected and qualify or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed; and two (2) Board Members are to be elected, by a Fund’s preferred shareholders voting as a separate class, each to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2011 and until such Board Member’s successor has been duly elected and qualified or until such Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. The Class II Board Member nominees standing for election at the Meeting are: Ms. Jean Gleason Stromberg and Messrs. Henry P. Becton Jr., Paul K. Freeman and William McClayton. The Preferred Board Member nominees standing for election at the Meeting are: Messrs. Ingo Gefeke and Robert H. Wadsworth.

 

For all Funds. The individuals nominated for election as Board Members of each Fund at the Meeting (the “Board Member Nominees”), were nominated by each Fund’s Board. The Board Member Nominees currently serve as Board Members of each Fund, and currently serve as Board Members of other DWS funds advised by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”).

 

It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares represented thereby for the election of the Board Member Nominees unless the proxy is marked otherwise. Each of the Class II and Preferred Board Member Nominees has consented to being named in the Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve as a Board Member of a Fund if elected. However, should any Board Member Nominee become unable or unwilling to serve prior to the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may vote your shares for substitute nominees, if any, recommended by the Board of your Fund.

 

Information Concerning the Board’s Nominees

 

Information is provided below as of April 1, 2010 for the Board Member Nominees for a Fund’s Board. Each of the Board Member Nominees currently serves as a Class II Board Member or a Preferred Board Member of a Fund. All of the Class II and Preferred Board Member Nominees, except Mr. Ingo Gefeke, would be “non-interested” Board Members, as that term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Independent Board Members”). Mr. Ingo Gefeke is an “interested” Board Member by virtue of his positions with Deutsche Asset Management (“DeAM”).

Class II— Board Members/Nominees to serve until 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

 

 

Preferred — Board Members/Nominees to serve until 2011 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (for KTF and KSM only):

 

 

 

Information Concerning Continuing Board Members

 

As noted above, the Board for each Fund is divided into three classes. The terms of Class I and Class III Board Members do not expire this year. Information is provided below as of April 1, 2010 for Board Members in such classes. All of the continuing Board Members, except for Mr. Ingo Gefeke, are Independent Board Members.

 

Class I — Continuing Board Members to serve until 2012 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders:

 

 

Class III — Continuing Board Members to serve until 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

 

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, each Board Member has engaged in the principal occupation(s) noted in the tables above for at least the most recent five years, although not necessarily in the same capacity. The mailing address of each Independent Board Member is c/o Paul K. Freeman, Independent Chairman, DWS Funds, P.O. Box 101833, Denver, CO 80250-1833. The mailing address of Mr. Gefeke is 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.

 

As reported to the Funds, Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement sets forth the dollar range of equity securities and number of shares beneficially owned by each Board Member in each Fund as of March 31, 2010. Exhibit A also sets forth the aggregate dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Board Member in all DWS funds overseen by the Board Member as of March 31, 2010.

 

Officers

 

The officers of each Fund are set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

Compensation of Board Members and Officers

 

Each Independent Board Member receives compensation from the Funds for his or her services, which includes retainer fees and specified amounts for various committee services and for the Board Chairperson. No additional compensation is paid to any Independent Board Member for travel time to meetings, attendance at directors’ educational seminars or conferences, service on industry or association committees, participation as speakers at directors’ conferences or service on special fund industry director task forces or subcommittees. Independent Board Members do not receive any employee benefits such as pension or retirement benefits or health insurance from the Funds or any fund in the DWS fund complex.

 

Board Members and Fund officers who are officers, directors, employees or stockholders of Deutsche Asset Management or its affiliates receive no direct compensation from the Funds, although they are compensated as employees of Deutsche Asset Management, or its affiliates, and as a result may be deemed to participate in fees paid by the Funds. Deutsche Asset Management is the marketing name in the US for the asset management

activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DIMA, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company.

 

Exhibit C to this Proxy Statement sets forth compensation paid to each Independent Board Member by each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year and to each Independent Board Member by the DWS funds complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Board Structure

 

The primary responsibility of each Fund’s Board is to represent the interests of the Fund and to provide oversight of the management of the Fund. If the Board Member Nominees are elected by shareholders, each Board will be comprised of one individual who is an interested Board Member, and twelve individuals who are Independent Board Members. SEC rules currently require a majority of the board members of a fund to be “independent” if the fund takes advantage of certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act. If the proposed Board Member Nominees are elected by shareholders, 92% will be Independent Board Members. Each of the Board Member Nominees that will be considered an Independent Board Member, if elected, has been selected and nominated solely by the current Independent Board Members of each Fund.

 

Each Fund’s Board meets multiple times during the year to review investment performance and other operational matters, including regulatory and compliance related policies and procedures. Furthermore, the Independent Board Members review the fees paid to the Advisor and its affiliates for investment advisory services and other services. Each Board has adopted specific policies and guidelines that, among other things, seek to further enhance the effectiveness of the Independent Board Members in performing their duties. For example, the Independent Board Members select independent legal counsel to work with them in reviewing fees, advisory and other contracts and overseeing fund matters, and regularly meet privately with their counsel. An Independent Board Member, Dr. Freeman has served as Chairperson of the Board of each Fund since January 1, 2009. He was elected by the other Board Members for an initial three year term ending December 31, 2011.

 

During calendar year 2009, the Boards of each Fund met eight (8) times. Each Board Member attended at least 75% of the respective meetings of the Boards and the Committees (if a member thereof) held during calendar year 2009.

 

The Board of each Fund provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Correspondence should be sent by U.S. mail or courier service to Paul K. Freeman, Independent Chairman, DWS Funds, P.O. Box 101833, Denver, CO 80250-1833, who will forward it to a specific Board Member if addressed to that Board Member.

The Board of each Fund has established the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Contract Committee, Fixed-Income and Quant Oversight Committee and Operations Committee (each a “Committee”). For each Committee, a written charter setting forth the Committee’s responsibilities was adopted by each Board. The function, membership and number of meetings held in calendar year 2009 for each Committee is discussed below. All Committee members are Independent Board Members.

 

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of (1) the integrity of the financial statements, (2) a Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and procedures, (3) a Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to accounting and financial reporting and (4) the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm for a Fund. It also approves and recommends to the Board the appointment, retention or termination of the independent registered public accounting firm for a Fund, reviews the scope of audit and internal controls, considers and reports to the Board on matters relating to a Fund’s accounting and financial reporting practices, and performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee receives annual representations from the independent registered public accounting firm as to its independence. Each Fund’s Audit Committee is governed by the Audit Committee Charter, which is available at https://www.dws-investments.com/EN/docs/products/Audit_Committee_Charter.pdf. Each Fund’s Audit Committee is comprised of only Independent Board Members who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Chicago Stock Exchange (“CHX”) listing standards applicable to closed-end funds. During the calendar year 2009, the Audit Committee of each Fund’s Board held seven (7) meetings.

 

For the 2009 fiscal year, each Fund’s Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management. Each Fund’s Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (The Auditor’s Communications With Those Charged With Governance). Each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm provided the Fund’s Audit Committee the written disclosure required by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and the Fund’s Audit Committee discussed with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm their firm’s independence, including the matters described beginning on page 17. Based on its review of each Fund’s financial statements and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm and other written disclosure provided by the independent registered public

accounting firm, the Fund’s Audit Committee recommended to the Fund’s Board that the audited financial statements be included in the annual report provided to shareholders for the Fund’s 2009 fiscal year. The current members of each Fund’s Audit Committee are:

 

William McClayton (Chair)
Kenneth C. Froewiss (Vice Chair)
Henry P. Becton, Jr.
Keith R. Fox
Richard J. Herring
William N. Searcy, Jr.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, recommends individuals for membership on the Board, nominates officers, Board and committee chairs, vice chairs and committee members, and oversees the operations of the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee also reviews recommendations by shareholders for candidates for Board positions. 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. Each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee is governed by the Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, which is available at https://www.dws-investments.com/EN/docs/products/Nominating_and_Governance_Committee.pdf. Each Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of only Independent Board Members who are “independent” as defined in the NYSE and the CHX listing standards applicable to closed-end funds. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Henry P. Becton, Jr. (Chair), Rebecca W. Rimel (Vice Chair), Paul K. Freeman and William McClayton. During the calendar year 2009, the Nominating and Governance Committee of each Fund’s Board held seven (7) meetings.

 

Contract Committee. The Contract Committee, which consists entirely of Independent Board Members, reviews at least annually, (a) a Fund’s financial arrangements with DIMA and its affiliates, and (b) a Fund’s expense ratios. The members of the Contract Committee are Robert H. Wadsworth (Chair), Keith R. Fox (Vice Chair), John W. Ballantine, Dawn-Marie Driscoll and William N. Searcy Jr. During the calendar year 2009, the Contract Committee of each Fund’s Board held seven (7) meetings.

 

Fixed-Income and Quant Oversight Committee. The Fixed-Income and Quant Oversight Committee reviews the investment operations of those funds that primarily invest in fixed-income securities or are managed by a quantitative investment team. The members of the Fixed-Income and Quant Oversight Committee are William N. Searcy, Jr. (Chair), Jean Gleason

Stromberg (Vice Chair), Dawn-Marie Driscoll, Kenneth C. Froewiss and Robert H. Wadsworth. During the calendar year 2009, the Fixed-Income and Quant Oversight Committee of each Fund’s Board held seven (7) meetings.

 

Operations Committee. The Operations Committee reviews the administrative operations and general compliance matters of a Fund. The Operations Committee reviews administrative matters related to the operations of a Fund, policies and procedures relating to portfolio transactions, custody arrangements, fidelity bond and insurance arrangements, valuation of Fund assets and securities and such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The Operations Committee also oversees the valuation of a Fund’s securities and other assets and determines, as needed, the fair value of Fund securities or other assets under certain circumstances as described in a Fund’s Valuation Procedures. The Operations Committee has appointed a Valuation Sub-Committee, which may make determinations of fair value required when the Operations Committee is not in session. The members of the Operations Committee are Dawn-Marie Driscoll (Chair), John W. Ballantine (Vice Chair), Rebecca W. Rimel, Jean Gleason Stromberg and Robert H. Wadsworth. The members of the Valuation Sub-Committee are John W. Ballantine, Robert H. Wadsworth, Dawn-Marie Driscoll (Alternate), Rebecca W. Rimel (Alternate) and Jean Gleason Stromberg (Alternate). During the calendar year 2009, the Operations Committee held six (6) meetings and the Valuation Sub-Committee held no meetings.

 

Ad Hoc Committees. In addition to the standing committees described above, from time to time the Board may also form ad hoc committees to consider specific issues.

 

Required Vote

 

Each Fund will vote separately on the election of Board Member Nominees. For KHI, KMM and KST only, the election of a Board Member Nominee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote. For KTF and KSM only, the election of a Board Member Nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

The Board of your Fund believes that the election of each Board Member Nominee is in the best interests of your Fund. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of each Board Member Nominee as set forth in the Proposal.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Each Fund’s Board, including the Independent Board Members, has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to act as independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of its Fund for the current fiscal year. E&Y has served each Fund in this capacity since each Fund was organized and has no direct or indirect financial interest in any Fund except as the independent registered public accounting firm. E&Y will not be represented at the Meeting.

 

The following table shows the amount of fees that E&Y billed to (i) a Fund during the Fund’s last two fiscal years; and (ii) DIMA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with DIMA (collectively, the “DIMA Entities”) that provides ongoing services to a Fund, for engagements directly related to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting, during the Fund’s last two fiscal years. Each Fund’s Audit Committee approved in advance all audit services and non-audit services that E&Y provided to the Fund.

 

Services that a Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accountant Billed to the Fund and DIMA Entities

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Services. The following table shows the amount of fees that E&Y billed during a Fund’s last two fiscal years for non-audit services. Each Fund’s Audit Committee pre-approved all non-audit services that E&Y provided to the DIMA Entities that related directly to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting. Each Fund’s Audit Committee requested and received information from E&Y about any non-audit services that E&Y rendered during the Fund’s last fiscal year to the DIMA Entities. Each Fund’s Audit Committee considered this information in evaluating E&Y’s independence.

 

All other engagement fees were billed for services in connection with internal control reviews, agreed upon procedures and tax compliance for DIMA Entities that provide support for the operations of a Fund.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Generally, each Fund’s Audit Committee must pre-approve (i) all services to be performed for the Fund by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and (ii) all non-audit services to be performed by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the DIMA Entities with respect to operations and financial reporting of the Fund, except that the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Fund’s Audit Committee may grant the pre-approval for non-audit services described in items (i) and (ii) above for non-prohibited services for engagements of less than $100,000. All such delegated pre-approvals shall be presented to each Fund’s Audit Committee no later than the next Audit Committee meeting.

 

There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

According to each Fund’s principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, all of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s hours spent on auditing the Fund’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by full-time permanent employees of the principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

In connection with the audit of the 2008 and 2009 financial statements, each Fund entered into an engagement letter with E&Y. The terms of the engagement letter required by E&Y, and agreed to by each Fund’s Audit Committee, include provisions in which the parties consent to the sole jurisdiction of federal courts in New York, Boston or the Northern District of Illinois, as well as a waiver of right to a trial by jury and an exclusion of punitive damages.

 

E&Y advised each Fund’s Audit Committee that E&Y had identified three matters that it determined to be inconsistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules.

 

First, E&Y advised the Fund’s Audit Committee that, in 2007 and 2008, Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”) provided standard overdraft protection on a depository account to the E&Y member firm in India (“E&Y India”). DB is within the “Investment Company Complex” (as defined by SEC rules) and therefore covered by the SEC auditor independence rules applicable to the Fund. E&Y advised the Audit Committee that E&Y India utilized this arrangement twice in 2007; therefore, the arrangement constituted a lending type arrangement in violation of Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X as described above. E&Y advised the Audit Committee that E&Y believes its independence has not been impacted as it relates to the audit of the Fund. In reaching this conclusion, E&Y noted a number of factors, including that the arrangement did not create a mutual or

conflicting interest between E&Y and the Fund and that the arrangement did not involve the Fund, but rather affiliates of the Fund in the Investment Company Complex. E&Y informed the Audit Committee that E&Y India has cancelled the overdraft arrangement.

 

Second, E&Y advised the Fund’s Audit Committee that, in 2008, an E&Y professional purchased interests in a fund sponsored by a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG that is not audited by E&Y. Subsequent to the purchase, the E&Y professional became a Covered Person (as defined by SEC rules) of the Fund as a result of providing non-audit services to a DB entity within the Investment Company Complex. E&Y informed the Audit Committee that this investment constituted an investment in an affiliate of an audit client in violation of the Rule 2-01(c)(1) of Regulation S-X. E&Y advised the Audit Committee that E&Y believes its independence has not been impacted as it relates to the audit of the Fund. In reaching this conclusion, E&Y noted a number of factors, including that the E&Y professional did not have any financial interest in the Fund and was not involved with the provision of audit services to the Fund. E&Y informed the Audit Committee that the E&Y professional no longer provides any services to any entity within the Investment Company Complex and is no longer deemed to be a Covered Person with respect to the Fund.

 

Finally, E&Y advised the Fund’s Audit Committee that, in 2008, an E&Y professional whose spouse owned interests in two DWS Funds that are not audited by E&Y, became a Covered Person of the Fund as a result of providing attest services to a DB entity within the Investment Company Complex. E&Y informed the Audit Committee that this investment constituted an investment in an affiliate of an audit client in violation of the Rule 2-01(c)(1) of Regulation S-X. E&Y advised the Audit Committee that E&Y believes its independence has not been impacted as it relates to the audit of the Fund. In reaching this conclusion, E&Y noted a number of factors, including that the E&Y professional did not have any financial interest in the Fund and was not involved with the provision of audit services to the Fund. E&Y informed the Audit Committee that the E&Y professional no longer provides any services to any entity within the Investment Company Complex and is no longer deemed to be a Covered Person with respect to the Fund.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Quorum and Required Vote. Proxies are being solicited from each Fund’s shareholders by the respective Fund’s Board for the Meeting. Unless revoked, all valid proxies will be voted in accordance with the specification thereon or, in the absence of specification, FOR election of all Board Member Nominees and as the persons named in the proxy determine on such other business as may come before the Meeting. However, should any Board Member Nominee become unable or unwilling to serve prior to the

Meetings, the persons named as proxies may vote your shares for substitute nominees, if any recommended by the Board. Except for Board Members elected solely by the holders of Preferred Shares of KTF and KSM, if an annual meeting is called for the purpose of considering the election of Board Members, and a then current Board Member up for election is not elected and such Board Member’s successor is not elected and qualified, then the current Board Member shall remain a member of the relevant class, holding office until the annual meeting held in the third succeeding year after such annual meeting is initially called and until the election and qualification of such Board Member’s successor, if any, or until such current Board Member sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted, either by writing to a Fund or in person at the time of the Meeting. For each Fund, the presence at the Meeting of 30% of the shares of such Fund, respectively, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting constitutes a quorum for the Meeting. Thus, the meeting for a particular Fund could not take place on its scheduled date if less than 30% of the shares of that Fund were represented.

 

For KHI, KMM and KST, to the extent permitted by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, any meeting of shareholders may, by action of the chairman of the meeting, be adjourned without further notice with respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting to a designated time and place, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter; upon motion of the chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be submitted to a vote of the shareholders, and in that case, any adjournment with respect to one or more matters must be approved by the vote of holders of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote with respect to the matter or matters adjourned, and without further notice to the extent permitted by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting that are represented by broker non-votes, may, at the discretion of the proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment. For KTF and KSM, any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Adjournment will subject a Fund to additional expenses. The tellers will count shares represented by proxies that reflect “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote, and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have the discretionary voting power on a particular matter) as shares that are present and entitled to vote on the matter for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

For each Fund, each whole share is entitled to one vote and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. For KHI, KMM and KST only, the election of a Board Member Nominee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote. For KTF and KSM only, the election of a Board Member Nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. As noted previously, the holders of the Preferred Shares of KTF and KSM, voting as a separate class for each respective Fund, are entitled to elect two Board Members and the holders of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares of KTF and KSM, voting together as a single class for each Fund, are entitled to elect the four Board Members. For KHI, KMM and KST, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against the Proposal. For KTF and KSM, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the Proposal.

 

Record Date and Method of Tabulation. Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 9, 2010 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As of the Record Date, shares of the Funds were issued and outstanding as follows:

 

 

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be counted by persons appointed by the Funds as tellers for the Meeting. For the Proposal, shareholders will vote by individual Fund.

 

Deutsche Bank Voting. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (“Deutsche Bank Trust”) will vote any shares in accounts as to which Deutsche Bank Trust has voting authority, and shares in any other accounts as to which Deutsche Bank Trust is the agent of record, which are not otherwise represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Deutsche Bank Trust will vote shares of the Funds over which it has investment discretion in accordance with its fiduciary and other legal obligations, and in its discretion may consult with the beneficial owners or other fiduciaries. Deutsche Bank Trust will vote shares of the Funds for which it is the owner of record but does not have investment discretion, which are not otherwise represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting, in the same proportion as the votes cast by holders of all shares in the Funds otherwise represented

at the Meeting. This practice is commonly referred to as “mirror” or “echo” voting. Deutsche Bank Trust and its affiliates will vote any shares held in proprietary accounts in accordance with their voting procedures.

 

Share Ownership. As of March 31, 2010, each Fund knows of no person who owns more than 5% of any of the outstanding shares of a class of the Fund, except as follows:

 

 

Collectively, for each Fund, the Board Members and executive officers of the Fund own less than 1% of such Fund’s outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2009, the Independent Board Members, Interested Board Member and executive officers did not own any Preferred Shares of KTF or KSM. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.

 

Proxy Costs. The Funds will pay the costs of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed Proxy Card and Proxy Statement and all other costs incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies, including any additional solicitation made by letter, telephone or telegraph for each Fund. In addition to solicitation by mail, certain officers and representatives of the Funds, officers and employees of DIMA and certain financial

services firms and their representatives, who will receive no extra compensation for their services, may solicit proxies electronically through the Internet, by telephone, by telegram or personally. Proxies that are obtained telephonically or electronically will be recorded in accordance with the procedures believed by the Funds to be reasonably designed to ensure that both the identity of the shareholder casting the vote and the voting instructions of the shareholder are accurately determined.

 

If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Meeting, but does not wish to give a proxy by telephone or electronically, the shareholder may still submit the Proxy Card(s) originally sent with this Proxy Statement or attend in person. Should shareholders require additional information regarding the proxy or replacement Proxy Card(s), they may call 1-866-821-2570. Any proxy given by a shareholder is revocable until voted at the Meeting.

 

Revocation of Proxies. Proxies, including proxies given by telephone or via the Internet, may be revoked at any time before they are voted either (i) by a written revocation received by the Secretary of the applicable Fund at One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, (ii) by properly submitting a later-dated Proxy Card that is received by the Fund at or prior to the Meeting or (iii) by attending the Meeting and voting in person. Merely attending the Meeting without voting, however, will not revoke a proxy previously given.

 

Section 16 Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require each Fund’s officers and Board Members, DIMA, affiliated persons of DIMA and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Fund’s equity securities to file forms reporting their affiliation with that Fund and reports of ownership and changes in ownership of that Fund’s shares with the SEC. These persons and entities are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Funds with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms received by it, and written representations from certain reporting persons that no year-end reports were required for those persons, each Fund believes that during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2009, all filings were timely, except that Philip Condon, the Portfolio Manager, filed a late Form 4 for each of KSM and KST.

 

Investment Manager. Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, serves as each Fund’s Advisor and manager pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement.

 

Deutsche Asset Management (“DeAM”) is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, DIMA, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and DWS Trust Company.

DeAM is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world’s major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight, across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles. DIMA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance. DWS Investments is part of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division and, within the US, represents the retail asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and DWS Trust Company.

 

SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Shareholders wishing to submit proposals for inclusion in a proxy statement for a shareholders’ meeting to be held in 2011 should send their written proposals to the Secretary of the applicable Fund at the following address: One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.

 

It is currently anticipated that the next annual meeting of shareholders will be held in May 2011. A shareholder wishing to submit a proposal for inclusion in a Fund’s proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 should send such written proposal to the Secretary of the Fund within a reasonable time before the solicitation of proxies for such meeting. A Fund will treat any such proposal received no later than December 17, 2010 as timely. The timely submission of a proposal, however, does not guarantee its inclusion.

 

Each Fund has established advance notice requirements pursuant to its Amended and Restated By-Laws for the submission of shareholder proposals to be considered by shareholders at an annual meeting, which do not apply to holders of Preferred Shares of KTF and KSM to the extent set forth in the applicable By-Laws. Pursuant to the advance notice provisions of each Fund’s Amended and Restated By-Laws for nominations of individuals for election to the Board or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to the advance notice provisions, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Fund and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required pursuant to the advance notice requirements and shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund not earlier than November 20, 2010 nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 20, 2010. Each

Fund’s advance notice requirements are set forth as follows: KHI, KMM and KST in Exhibit D; and KTF and KSM in Exhibit E. The timely submission of a proposal, however, does not guarantee that it will be considered at the applicable annual meeting.

 

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

 

No Board Member is aware of any matters that will be presented for action at the Meeting other than the matters set forth therein. Should any other matters requiring a vote of shareholders arise, the proxy in the accompanying form will confer upon the person or persons entitled to vote the shares represented by such proxy the discretionary authority to vote the shares as to any such other matters in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of each Fund.

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS PROXY STATEMENT OR THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO EXECUTE AND TO DELIVER A PROXY CARD, PLEASE CONTACT GEORGESON INC. AT 1-866-821-2570.

 

SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND WHO WISH TO HAVE THEIR SHARES VOTED ARE REQUESTED TO DATE AND TO SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND TO RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, OR TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD FOR VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2010:

 

The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement are available at https://www.envisionreports.com/dws.

 

EXHIBIT A

 

BOARD MEMBER SHARE OWNERSHIP

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Board Members and the officers of each Fund as a whole owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds.

 

The following tables show the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned and the amount of shares beneficially owned by each Board Member in each Fund as of March 31, 2010.

 

Under its Board Governance Policies, each Board has established the expectation that within three years of becoming a Board Member, a Board Member will have invested in the aggregate at least $200,000 in the DWS Funds. Each Board Member owns over $100,000 of shares on an aggregate basis in all DWS funds overseen by the Board Member as of March 31, 2010.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

OFFICERS

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each officer below is One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION

 

The table below shows (i) the compensation paid to each Board Member by each Fund for its most recently completed fiscal year and (ii) the total compensation received by each Board Member from the DWS fund complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2009. Mr. Gefeke is an interested person of the Funds and received no compensation from the Funds or any fund in the DWS fund complex during the relevant periods. No Board Member of the Funds receives pension or retirement benefits from the Funds.

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR
DWS HIGH INCOME TRUST (“KHI”)
DWS MULTI-MARKET INCOME TRUST (“KMM”)
DWS STRATEGIC INCOME TRUST (“KST”)

 

The following is an excerpt from the Amended and Restated By-Laws for KHI, KMM and KST. The excerpt is qualified in its entirety by the complete Amended and Restated By-Laws for KHI, KMM and KST. Any terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Amended and Restated By-Laws.

 

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR
DWS MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KTF”)
DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST (“KSM”)

 

The following is an excerpt from the Amended and Restated By-Laws for KTF and KSM. The excerpt is qualified in its entirety by the complete Amended and Restated By-Laws for KTF and KSM. Any terms not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the Amended and Restated By-Laws.

 

 

 

(b) Annual Meetings of Shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e) Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement.  To be eligible to be a Shareholder nominee for election as a Trustee

of the Trust, the proposed nominee must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of a Shareholder Notice) to the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive office of the Trust a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary of the Trust upon written request) and a written representation and agreement that such person (a) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any Person as to how such person, if elected as a Trustee of the Trust, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Trust or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a Trustee of the Trust, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person other than the Trust with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Trustee that has not been disclosed therein and (c) in such person’s individual capacity, would be in compliance, if elected as a Trustee of the Trust, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed trust governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and share ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Trust.

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  ▼

A    Proposals — THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL BOARD MEMBER NOMINEES.

1.

Election of Class II Board Members:

01 - Henry P. Becton, Jr.

02 - Paul K. Freeman

03 - William McClayton

04 - Jean Gleason Stromberg

+

o		Mark here to vote FOR all nominees		o		Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees		o		For All EXCEPT - To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below.

B		Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

C		Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IF YOU ARE NOT VOTING BY PHONE OR INTERNET. NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR. WHEN SIGNING AS AN ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL TITLE AS SUCH.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.		Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.		Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
/       /

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2010:
The Notice of Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement are available at https://www.envisionreports.com/dws

▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. ▼

Proxy — DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST		— COMMON SHARES

JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 24, 2010

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF THE FUND.

The undersigned hereby appoints John Millette, Caroline Pearson and Rita Rubin, and each of them, the proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution to each of them, to vote all shares of the above-referenced fund (the “Fund”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund to be held at the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 on May 24, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any adjournments thereof.

ALL PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED ON A PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXY, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL BOARD MEMBER NOMINEES.

(CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED, ON THE REVERSE SIDE.)

VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE

DWS STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST – PREFERRED SHARES

JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 24, 2010

(CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED, ON THE REVERSE SIDE.)

TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE

X		Please mark votes as in this example

PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Date			, 2010
Signature
Signature (if held jointly)
NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR. WHEN SIGNING AS AN ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL TITLE AS SUCH.