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iso4217:USD
The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect that, as of April 1, 2013, the Fund will no longer pay annual custodial fees.
Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund until at least January 31, 2014, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend costs related to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses, if any) exceed 1.30% for Class A shares. The Adviser can be reimbursed by the Fund within three years after the date the fee limitation and/or expense reimbursement has been made by the Adviser, provided that such repayment does not cause the expenses of the Fund's Class A shares to exceed the foregoing limits. The fee limitation and/or expense reimbursement may be terminated or amended prior to January 31, 2014 with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
First Investors Income Funds
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FIRST INVESTORS CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund seeks to earn a high rate of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Although the Fund tries to maintain a $1.00 share price, it may not be able to do so.  It is therefore possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is intended for investors who:</font> </div> <br/><table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td valign="top" width="97%"> <div> Are seeking income, and </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </font> </td> <td valign="top" width="97%">   </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td valign="top" width="97%"> <div> Are seeking a conservative investment that provides a high degree of credit quality. </div> </td> </tr> </table> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk</font>.  There is a risk that the value of a money market instrument will decline if there is a default by or a deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer or a provider of a credit enhancement or demand feature.  This could cause the Fund’s NAV to decline below $1.00 per share.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Credit risk also applies to securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  These securities are supported by the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality or corporation.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk</font>.  Like the values of other debt instruments, the market values of money market instruments are affected by changes in interest rates.  When interest rates rise, the market values of money market instruments decline.  This could cause the Fund’s NAV to decline below $1.00 per share.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Liquidity Risk</font>.  The Fund may be unable to sell a security promptly and at an acceptable price, which could have the effect of decreasing the overall level of the Fund’s liquidity.  Market developments may cause the Fund’s investments to become less liquid and subject to erratic price movements, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Yield Risk</font>.  The yields received by the Fund on its investments will decline as interest rates decline.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.  Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.</font> </div>
Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund invests primarily in high-quality money market instruments that are determined by the Fund<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">’</font>s Adviser to present minimal credit risk, including but not limited to commercial paper, short-term corporate bonds and notes, floating and variable rate notes, U.S. Treasury securities and short-term obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (some of which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government).</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund’s portfolio is managed to meet regulatory requirements that permit the Fund to maintain a stable net asset value (“NAV”) of $1.00 per share.  These include requirements relating to the credit quality, maturity, liquidity and diversification of the Fund’s investments.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In buying and selling securities, the Fund will consider its own credit analysis as well as ratings assigned by ratings services.</font> </div>
Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in “Are sales charge discounts and waivers available” on page 106 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers” on page II-51 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.   </font> </div>
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You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in "Are sales charge discounts and waivers available" on page 106 of the Fund's prospectus and in "Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" on page II-51 of the Fund's statement of additional information.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
100000
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods and reflects conversion of Class B to Class A after eight years.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
103
322
558
1236
579
854
1154
1875
103
322
558
1236
179
554
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Performance:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Class A shares.  The table shows the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years.  The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available by visiting www.firstinvestors.com or by calling 1 (800) 423-4026.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.</font> </div>
Total Annual Returns For Calendar Years Ended December 31
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The highest quarterly return was 1.14% (for the quarter ended September 30, 2007).
0.0114
2007-09-30
The lowest quarterly return was 0.00% (for each quarter ended since December 31, 2009).
0.0000
2009-12-31
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 1.14% (for the quarter ended September 30, 2007) and the lowest quarterly return was 0.00% (for each quarter ended since December 31, 2009).</font> </div>
Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2012
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The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows the Fund's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
1 (800) 423-4026
www.firstinvestors.com
FIRST INVESTORS GOVERNMENT FUND
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund seeks to achieve a significant level of current income which is consistent with security and liquidity of principal.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  While the Fund invests in obligations that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, your investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government.  The Fund is intended for investors who:</font> </div> <br/><table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are seeking an investment which offers both current income and a low degree of credit risk, </font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are willing to accept fluctuations in the value of their investment and the income it produces as a result of changes in interest rates and mortgage refinancing, and </font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Have a long-term investment horizon and are able to ride out market cycles. </font> </td> </tr> </table> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk</font>.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Prepayment Risk</font>.  When interest rates decline, homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages.  This could cause a decrease in the Fund’s income and share price.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Extension Risk</font>.  Rising interest rates can cause the Fund’s average maturity to lengthen due to a drop in mortgage prepayments.  This will increase both the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates and its potential for price declines.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk</font>.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds are affected by the credit quality of the issuer and in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the credit quality of the underlying mortgages.  Credit risk applies to securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">securities) that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk</font>.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 36% of the average value of its whole portfolio.</font> </div>
0.36
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in obligations issued or guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (“Government Securities”).</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The majority of the Fund’s investments will typically consist of mortgage-backed securities that are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), commonly known as Ginnie Maes. Ginnie Maes are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund also invests in mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”).    </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund generally makes investment decisions based on its outlook for interest rates, economic and market conditions, and the relative values of different types of Government Securities.  In selecting mortgage-backed investments, the Fund considers, among other factors, coupon and yield, relative value and weighted average maturity of the pool.  The Fund will usually sell an investment when there are changes in the interest rate environment that are adverse to the investment.</font> </div>
Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">T</font>his table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in “Are sales charge discounts and waivers available” on page 106 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers” on page II-51 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.</font> </div>
0.0575
0.0000
0.0100
0.0400
0.0066
0.0066
0.0030
0.0100
0.0024
0.0024
0.0120
0.0190
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20010 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010577Member row primary compact * ~
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in "Are sales charge discounts and waivers available" on page 106 of the Fund's prospectus and in "Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" on page II-51 of the Fund's statement of additional information.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
100000
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods and reflects conversion of Class B to Class A after eight years.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
690
934
1197
1946
593
897
1226
2040
690
934
1197
1946
193
597
1026
2040
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20011 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010577Member row primary compact * ~
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20012 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010577Member row primary compact * ~
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Performance:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Class A shares.  The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.  The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.firstinvestors.com or by calling</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1 (800) 423-4026.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.</font> </div>
Total Annual Returns For Calendar Years Ended December 31
0.0218
0.0322
0.0230
0.0346
0.0579
0.0647
0.0513
0.0596
0.0588
0.0130
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20013 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010577Member row primary compact * ~
The highest quarterly return was 3.66% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008).
0.0366
2008-12-31
The lowest quarterly return was -0.81% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).
-0.0081
2006-06-30
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 3.66% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008) and the lowest quarterly return was</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">-0.81% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).</font> </div>
Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2012
-0.0454
0.0370
0.0354
-0.0560
0.0233
0.0203
-0.0295
0.0228
0.0208
-0.0330
0.0387
0.0356
0.0236
0.0599
0.0521
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20014 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010577Member column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.  After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.</font> </div>
The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
1 (800) 423-4026
www.firstinvestors.com
After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
FIRST INVESTORS INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund seeks to generate a maximum level of income consistent with investment in investment grade debt securities.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is intended for investors who:</font> </div> <br/><table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> Are seeking an investment which offers current income and a moderate degree of credit risk, </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are willing to accept fluctuations in the value of their investment and the income it produces as a result of changes in interest rates, credit ratings and the economy, and </font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Have a long-term investment horizon and are able to ride out market cycles.  </font> </td> </tr> </table> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk</font>.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk</font>.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds and other debt securities are affected by the credit quality of the issuer and, in the case of asset-backed securities, the credit quality of the underlying loans.  Credit risk also applies to securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Prepayment and Extension Risk.</font>  The Fund is subject to prepayment and</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">extension risk since it invests in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities.  When interest rates decline, borrowers tend to refinance their loans.  When this occurs, the loans that back these securities suffer a higher rate of prepayment.  This could cause a decrease in the Fund’s income and share price.  When interest rates rise, the Fund’s average maturity may lengthen due to a drop in prepayments.  This will increase both the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rates and its potential for price declines.</font> </div> <br/><div id="PGBRK-2" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Liquidity Risk</font>.  High yield debt securities tend to be less liquid than higher quality debt securities, meaning that it may be difficult to sell high yield debt securities at reasonable prices.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk</font>.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its whole portfolio.</font> </div>
0.40
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade debt securities.  The Fund defines investment grade debt securities as those that are rated within the four highest ratings categories by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or that are unrated but determined by the Fund’s Adviser to be of quality equivalent to those within the four highest ratings of Moody’s or S&P.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund may invest in a variety of different types of investment grade securities, including corporate bonds, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (some of which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government), and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In making investment decisions, the Fund considers the outlook for interest rates, economic and market conditions, credit ratings, and its own analysis of an issuer’s financial condition.  The Fund will not necessarily sell an investment if its rating is reduced and it may hold securities that have been downgraded below investment grade (commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds).  </font> </div>
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade debt securities.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in “Are sales charge discounts and waivers available” on page 106 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers” on page II-51 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.</font> </div>
0.0575
0.0000
0.0100
0.0400
0.0066
0.0066
0.0030
0.0100
0.0022
0.0022
0.0118
0.0188
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20018 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010580Member row primary compact * ~
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in "Are sales charge discounts and waivers available" on page 106 of the Fund's prospectus and in "Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" on page II-51 of the Fund's statement of additional information.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
100000
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods and reflects conversion of Class B to Class A after eight years.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
688
928
1187
1924
591
891
1216
2018
688
928
1187
1924
191
591
1016
2018
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20020 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010580Member row primary compact * ~
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Performance:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Class A shares.  The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.  The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available by visiting www.firstinvestors.com or by calling</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1 (800) 423-4026.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.</font> </div>
Total Annual Returns For Calendar Years Ended December 31
0.0802
0.0401
0.0085
0.0365
0.0515
-0.1157
0.2091
0.0909
0.0592
0.1093
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20021 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010580Member row primary compact * ~
The highest quarterly return was 10.39% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
0.1039
2009-06-30
The lowest quarterly return was -9.53% (for the quarter ended September 30, 2008).
-0.0953
2008-09-30
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 10.39% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2009) and the lowest quarterly return was</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">-9.53% (for the quarter ended September 30, 2008).</font> </div>
Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2012
0.0454
0.0526
0.0478
0.0310
0.0354
0.0300
0.0291
0.0337
0.0295
0.0602
0.0545
0.0480
0.1037
0.0771
0.0631
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20022 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010580Member column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.  After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.  </font> </div>
The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
1 (800) 423-4026
www.firstinvestors.com
After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
First Investors International Opportunities Bond Fund
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is intended for investors who:</font> </div> <br/><table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are seeking total return,</font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Want exposure to debt securities of foreign issuers,</font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Are willing to accept a high degree of investment risk, and </font> </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Have a long-term investment horizon and are able to ride out market cycles. </font> </td> </tr> </table> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk</font>.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk</font>.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds and other debt securities are affected by the credit quality of the issuer.  High yield bonds and other types of high yield debt securities have greater credit risk than higher quality debt securities because the companies that issue them are not as financially strong as companies with investment grade ratings.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Market Risk.  </font>The market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline over short or even extended periods due to general market conditions, an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.  From time to time, certain securities held by the Fund may have limited marketability and may be difficult to sell at favorable times or prices.  If the Fund is forced to sell such securities to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, the Fund may have to sell them at a loss.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Foreign Securities Risk</font>.  There are special risk factors associated with investing in foreign securities, including the risks of fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, potential political and economic instability, differing accounting and financial reporting</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">standards or inability</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">to obtain reliable financial information regarding a company’s financial condition, less stringent regulation and supervision of foreign securities markets, custodians and securities depositories, and potential restrictions in the flow of capital.  Some securities issued by foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the foreign government and some foreign governments may default on principal and interest payments.  To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region.  As a result, it may be more volatile than a more geographically diversified fund.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Currency Risk</font>.  The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change.  Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and other political or regulatory conditions in the U.S. or abroad.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Supranational Risk</font>.  Obligations of supranational organizations are subject to the risk that the governments on whose support the entity depends for its financial backing or repayment may be unable or unwilling to provide that support.  Obligations of a supranational organization that are denominated in foreign currencies will also be subject to the risks associated with investment in foreign currencies.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Emerging Markets Risk</font>.  The risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened when investing in emerging or developing markets.  The economies and political environments of emerging or developing countries tend to be more unstable than those of developed countries, resulting in more volatile rates of returns than the developed markets and substantially greater risk to investors.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Liquidity Risk</font>.  The Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like.  This risk is particularly acute in the case of foreign securities that are traded in smaller, less-developed or emerging markets.  High yield debt securities also tend to be less liquid than higher quality debt securities.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Non-Diversification Risk</font>.  The Fund is a non-diversified investment company and, as such, its assets may be invested in a limited number of issuers.  This means that the Fund’s performance may be substantially impacted by the change in value of even a single holding.  The price of a share of the Fund can therefore be expected to fluctuate more than a diversified mutual fund.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Derivatives Risk</font>.  Forward foreign currency contracts and futures involve a number of risks, such as possible default by the counterparty to the transaction, incorrect judgment by the portfolio manager as to certain market movements and the potential of greater losses than if these techniques had not been used by the Fund.  They may also limit any potential gain that might result from an increase in the value of a hedged position.  These investments can also increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price and expose the Fund to significant additional costs.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Valuation Risk</font>.  The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.  Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair valued securities may receive fewer shares or lower redemption proceeds than they would have received if the Fund had not fair valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk</font>.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund seeks total return consisting of income and capital appreciation.</font> </div>
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 5% of the average value of its whole portfolio.</font> </div>
0.05
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in bonds.  The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days before making any changes to this 80% policy.  For purposes of the 80% test, bonds include debt securities issued or guaranteed by national governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and political sub-divisions (including inflation index linked securities); debt securities of supranational organizations such as freely transferable promissory notes, bonds and debentures; corporate debt securities, including freely transferable promissory notes, debentures, zero coupon bonds, commercial paper, certificates of deposits, and bankers’ acceptances issued by industrial, utility, finance, commercial banking or bank holding company organizations; emerging markets debt; and below investment grade securities, also known as high yield debt or “junk bonds”.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund will normally invest its assets in debt and fixed income securities of issuers located in developed countries outside of the United States.  The Fund will primarily invest in sovereign debt and currencies, as well as in investment grade corporate bonds.  Any country that has a sovereign debt rating of A- or better from at least one nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) at the time of purchase will be considered a developed country.  An issuer is considered by the subadviser to be located in a developed country if such issuer meets certain criteria of the subadviser.  To a lesser extent, the Fund may also invest in emerging markets.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund may invest in both investment grade and, to a lesser extent, below investment grade securities.  Investment grade securities are securities rated at the time of purchase by a NRSRO within one of the top four categories, or, if unrated, judged by the subadviser to be of comparable credit quality.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund may invest in forward foreign currency contracts in order to hedge its currency exposure in bond positions or to gain currency exposure.  The Fund may also invest in interest rate and bond futures to manage interest rate risk and for hedging purposes.  These investments may be significant at times.  Although the Fund has the flexibility to make use of forward foreign currency contracts it may choose not to for a variety of reasons, even under very volatile market conditions.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund will normally hold a portfolio of debt securities of issuers located in a</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">minimum of six countries.  The Fund intends to maintain a weighted average portfolio quality of A- or better, whether composed of rated securities or unrated securities deemed by the subadviser to be of comparable quality.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The weighted average duration of the Fund’s portfolio is expected to range from 1 to 10 years, but for individual markets may be greater or lesser depending on the subadviser’s outlook for interest rates and the potential for capital gains.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The subadviser follows a top-down value-driven process to investing and therefore seeks to identify relative value in the international</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">bond markets.  The subadviser defines as undervalued those markets where it believes real interest rates are high and the currency is undervalued with potential to appreciate.  The subadviser will concentrate investments in those undervalued markets where it believes cyclical business conditions, as well as secular economic and political trends, provide the best opportunity for declining interest rates and a return to lower real rates over time.  The subadviser believes that such economic conditions provide the best potential to achieve capital appreciation.</font> </div>
Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in “Are sales charge discounts and waivers available” on page 106 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers” on page II-51 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.  </font> </div>
0.0575
0.0100
0.0075
0.0030
0.0050
0.0155
-0.0025
0.0130
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20026 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000037814Member row primary compact * ~
2014-01-31
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in "Are sales charge discounts and waivers available" on page 106 of the Fund's prospectus and in "Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" on page II-51 of the Fund's statement of additional information.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.
100000
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the fee limitation/expense reimbursement arrangement</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">through January 31, 2014).  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
700
993
700
993
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20028 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000037814Member row primary compact * ~
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Performance:
<div align="justify" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">  Performance information has not been provided because the Fund commenced operations on August 20, 2012 and it does not have a full calendar year of performance.  </font> </div>
Performance information has not been provided because the Fund commenced operations on August 20, 2012 and it does not have a full calendar year of performance.
FIRST INVESTORS FUND FOR INCOME
Investment Objective:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund seeks high current income.</font> </div>
Principal Risks:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  The Fund is intended for investors who:</font> </div> <br/><table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> Are seeking an investment that offers a high level of current income, </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> Are willing to accept a high degree of credit risk and market volatility, and </div> <div>   </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="3%"> <font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">■</font></font> </td> <td width="97%"> <div> Have a long-term investment horizon and are able to ride out market cycles. </div> </td> </tr> </table> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Credit Risk</font>.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities, including syndicated bank loans, will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  High yield bonds and other types of high yield debt securities have greater credit risk than higher quality debt securities because the companies that issue them are not as financially strong as companies with investment grade ratings.  During times of economic downturn, issuers of high yield debt securities may not have the ability to access the credit markets to refinance their bonds or meet other credit obligations.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Market Risk</font>.  The entire high yield bond market can experience sharp price swings due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market volatility, large sustained sales of high yield bonds by major investors, high-profile defaults or the market’s psychology.  This degree of volatility in the high yield market is usually associated more with stocks than bonds.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Interest Rate Risk</font>.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes as are securities with higher credit ratings.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Liquidity Risk</font>.  High yield debt securities tend to be less liquid than higher quality debt securities, meaning that it may be difficult to sell high yield debt securities at a reasonable price or at a particular time.  Assignments of syndicated bank loans may be less liquid at times, because of potential delays in the settlement process or restrictions on resale.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Syndicated Bank Loans Risk</font>.  Syndicated bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral, if any, securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">obligations of the borrower, or be difficult to liquidate.  In the event of a default, the Fund may have difficulty collecting on any collateral.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">Security Selection Risk</font>.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.  </font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.</font> </div>
You can lose money by investing in the Fund.
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Portfolio Turnover:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 54% of the average value of its whole portfolio.</font> </div>
0.54
Principal Investment Strategies:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Fund primarily invests in high yield, below investment grade corporate bonds (commonly known as “high yield” or “junk bonds”).  High yield bonds include both bonds that are rated below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or below BBB by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services as well as unrated bonds that are determined by the Fund to be of equivalent quality.  High yield bonds generally provide higher income than investment grade bonds to compensate investors for their higher risk of default (i.e., failure to make required interest or principal payments).  The Fund may also invest in other high yield debt securities, such as assignments of syndicated bank loans.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Although the Fund will consider ratings assigned by ratings agencies in selecting high yield bonds, it relies principally on its own research and investment analysis.  The Fund may sell a bond when it shows deteriorating fundamentals or it falls short of the portfolio manager’s expectations.  It may also decide to continue to hold a bond (or related securities) after its issuer defaults or is subject to a bankruptcy.</font> </div>
Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in “Are sales charge discounts and waivers available” on page 106 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers” on page II-51 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.</font> </div>
0.0575
0.0000
0.0100
0.0400
0.0073
0.0073
0.0030
0.0100
0.0024
0.0024
0.0127
0.0197
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20032 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010579Member row primary compact * ~
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in First Investors Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial representative and in "Are sales charge discounts and waivers available" on page 106 of the Fund's prospectus and in "Additional Information About Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" on page II-51 of the Fund's statement of additional information.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
100000
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Example
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods and reflects conversion of Class B to Class A after eight years.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:</font> </div>
697
955
1232
2021
600
918
1262
2115
697
955
1232
2021
200
618
1062
2115
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~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20034 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010579Member row primary compact * ~
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Performance:
<div align="left" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Class A shares.  The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.  The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available by visiting www.firstinvestors.com or by calling</font> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1 (800) 423-4026.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">On April 24, 2009, Muzinich & Co., Inc. (“Muzinich”) became the Fund’s subadviser.  Therefore, the performance shown for the Fund for the periods prior to that date is not necessarily reflective of how the Fund will perform in the future.</font> </div>
Total Annual Returns For Calendar Years Ended December 31
0.2531
0.1012
-0.0063
0.0981
0.0054
-0.2742
0.3551
0.1343
0.0525
0.1311
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20035 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010579Member row primary compact * ~
The highest quarterly return was 15.60% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
0.1560
2009-06-30
The lowest quarterly return was -19.51% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008).
-0.1951
2008-12-31
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">During the periods shown, the highest quarterly return was 15.60% (for the quarter ended June 30, 2009) and the lowest quarterly return was</font> </div> <br/><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">-19.51% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2008).</font> </div>
Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2012
0.0664
0.0456
0.0659
0.0441
0.0188
0.0389
0.0424
0.0210
0.0395
0.0835
0.0484
0.0663
0.1458
0.0911
0.0929
~ http://www.firstinvestors.com/20130128/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20036 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact fiif_S000010579Member column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.  After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.</font> </div>
The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares and are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare to those of a broad measure of market performance.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
1 (800) 423-4026
www.firstinvestors.com
After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.