0000916620 nf7:S000038895Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038896Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038897Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038896Member nf7:C000119674Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038895Member nf7:C000119673Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038897Member nf7:C000119675Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038895Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember nf7:C000119673Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038895Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember nf7:C000119673Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038895Member nf7:BarclaysUsAggregateBondIndexMember 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038896Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember nf7:C000119674Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038896Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember nf7:C000119674Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038896Member nf7:BarclaysOneThreeYearUsGovernmentCreditIndexMember 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038897Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember nf7:C000119675Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038897Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember nf7:C000119675Member 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 0000916620 nf7:S000038897Member nf7:BarclaysUsTreasuryIndexMember 2011-10-03 2012-10-02 pure iso4217:USD <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleShareholderFeesCOREBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleShareholderFeesSHORTBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleShareholderFeesUSTREASURYINDEXFUND column period compact * ~</div> 0.001 0.0017 419 382 0.0405 0.0321 317 0.0213 SHORT BOND FUND Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) CORE BOND FUND Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate 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 portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Core Bond Fund’s turnover rate was 851.07% of the average value of its portfolio. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate 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 portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the Northern Institutional Short Bond Portfolio’s (the “Predecessor Short Bond Fund”) turnover rate was 411.73% of the average value of its portfolio. www.northernfunds.com www.northernfunds.com U.S. TREASURY INDEX FUND Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) 0.0011 The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate 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 portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During its most recent fiscal year, the Northern Institutional U.S. Treasury Index Portfolio’s (the “Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund”) turnover rate was 64.52% of the average value of its portfolio. www.northernfunds.com <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpensesCOREBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpensesUSTREASURYINDEXFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpensesSHORTBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement will not correlate to the Northern Institutional Core Bond Portfolio’s (the “Predecessor Core Bond Fund”) ratios of expenses to (1) expenses before waivers, reimbursements and credits and (2) expenses net of waivers, reimbursements and credits, respectively, included in the Financial Highlights in the Fund’s complete Prospectus, which do not reflect indirect expenses, such as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The following 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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 42 The following 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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 41 800-595-9111 * For the periods shown in the bar chart above, the highest quarterly return was 4.33% in the third quarter of 2002, and the lowest quarterly return was (2.61)% in the second quarter of 2004. AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (For the periods ended December 31, 2011) 2001-03-29 800-595-9111 * For the periods shown in the bar chart above, the highest quarterly return was 3.02% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and the lowest quarterly return was (1.69)% in the second quarter of 2004. AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (For the periods ended December 31, 2011) In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from redemptions are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. Under certain circumstances, the addition of the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from redemptions may cause the Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares to be greater than the Returns After Taxes on Distributions or even the Returns Before Taxes. NORTHERN FUNDS 1993-01-11 This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) The following 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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 15 800-595-9111 * For the periods shown in the bar chart above, the highest quarterly return was 8.80% in the fourth quarter of 2008, and the lowest quarterly return was (3.24)% in the second quarter of 2004. 1993-01-11 The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsCOREBONDFUNDBarChart column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsU.S.TREASURYINDEXFUNDBarChart column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsSHORTBONDFUNDBarChart column period compact * ~</div> INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE 2011-11-30 2012-08-17 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE 0.0015 0.001 0.0075 -0.0035 0.0015 0.001 0.0083 -0.0042 223 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES MARKET RISK is the risk that the market values of fixed-income securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably. MANAGEMENT RISK is the risk that a strategy used by the investment management team may fail to produce the intended results. LIQUIDITY RISK is the risk that certain portfolio securities may be less liquid than others, which may make them difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. INTEREST RATE/MATURITY RISK is the risk that the value of the Fund’s assets will decline because of rising interest rates. This risk is generally lower for funds that have shorter-weighted maturities, such as money market funds and short-term bond funds. The magnitude of this decline will often be greater for longer-term fixed-income securities than shorter-term fixed income securities. PREPAYMENT (OR CALL) RISK is the risk that prepayment of the underlying mortgage or other collateral of some fixed-income securities may result in a decreased rate of return and a decline in value of those securities. DEBT EXTENSION RISK is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) later than expected. This may happen during a period of rising interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease and the Fund will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities. CREDIT (OR DEFAULT) RISK is the risk that the inability or unwillingness of an issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or a counterparty to a repurchase or other transaction, to meet its payment or other financial obligations will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Changes in the credit rating of a debt security held by the Fund could have a similar effect. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK is the risk that investing in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may result in the Fund experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies, due to less liquid markets, and adverse economic, political, diplomatic, financial, and regulatory factors. Foreign governments also may impose limits on investment and repatriation and impose taxes. Any of these events could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RISK is the risk that high portfolio turnover is likely to lead to increased Fund expenses that may result in lower investment returns. High portfolio turnover also is likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. For the last fiscal year, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Predecessor Core Bond Fund exceeded 100%. As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. 205 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES 0.0837 0.0791 2002-09-30 0.0433 2004-06-30 0.0556 0.0386 0.0376 0.0578 After-tax returns are calculated using the historical 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 shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. MARKET RISK is the risk that the market values of fixed-income securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably. MANAGEMENT RISK is the risk that a strategy used by the investment management team may fail to produce the intended results. LIQUIDITY RISK is the risk that certain portfolio securities may be less liquid than others, which may make them difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. INTEREST RATE/MATURITY RISK is the risk that the value of the Fund’s assets will decline because of rising interest rates. This risk is generally lower for funds that have shorter-weighted maturities, such as money market funds and short-term bond funds. The magnitude of this decline will often be greater for longer-term fixed-income securities than shorter-term fixed income securities. PREPAYMENT (OR CALL) RISK is the risk that prepayment of the underlying mortgage or other collateral of some fixed-income securities may result in a decreased rate of return and a decline in value of those securities. DEBT EXTENSION RISK is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) later than expected. This may happen during a period of rising interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease and the Fund will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities. CREDIT (OR DEFAULT) RISK is the risk that the inability or unwillingness of an issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or a counterparty to a repurchase or other transaction, to meet its payment or other financial obligations will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Changes in the credit rating of a debt security held by the Fund could have a similar effect. CURRENCY RISK is the risk that foreign currencies will fluctuate in value relative to the U.S. dollar, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. Because the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, you may lose money if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the market value of the Fund’s holdings appreciates. FOREIGN SECURITIES RISK is the risk that investing in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may result in the Fund experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies, due to less liquid markets, and adverse economic, political, diplomatic, financial, and regulatory factors. Foreign governments also may impose limits on investment and repatriation and impose taxes. Any of these events could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. HIGH-YIELD RISK is the risk that the Fund’s non-investment grade fixed-income securities, sometimes known as “junk bonds,” will be subject to greater credit risk, price volatility and risk of loss than investment grade securities, which can adversely impact the Fund’s return and net asset value. High yield securities are considered primarily speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payment. PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RISK is the risk that high portfolio turnover is likely to lead to increased Fund expenses that may result in lower investment returns. High portfolio turnover also is likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. For the last fiscal year, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Predecessor Short Bond Fund exceeded 100%. As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. 2008-12-31 0.0302 2004-06-30 0.058 0.0227 After-tax returns are calculated using the historical 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 shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from redemptions are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. Under certain circumstances, the addition of the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from redemptions may cause the Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares to be greater than the Returns After Taxes on Distributions or even the Returns Before Taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. 0.0358 0.0238 0.0235 0.0363 0000916620 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE 0.0015 0.001 0.0066 -0.0051 160 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. 2008-12-31 0.088 2004-06-30 0.1157 0.096 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (For the periods ended December 31, 2011) After-tax returns are calculated using the historical 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 shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. 0.0555 0.0406 0.0394 0.0571 485BPOS The Fund seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation and income) with minimal reasonable risk. FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 0 2012-10-02 false 0.004 2012-10-02 The Fund seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation and income) consistent with reasonable risk. 0.0035 FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 0.004 0 November 30, 2013 0.004 0.0042 0.0001 0.0041 November 30, 2013 986 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The Fund will seek capital appreciation and current income in its attempt to maximize total return. In doing so, the Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and other fixed-income securities. These may include: <ul type="square"><li>Obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, including obligations issued by private issuers that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; </li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Obligations of state, local and foreign governments; </li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Obligations of domestic and foreign banks and corporations;</li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Zero coupon bonds, debentures, preferred stock and convertible securities;</li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Mortgage and other asset-backed securities;</li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Stripped securities evidencing ownership of future interest or principal payments on debt obligations; and</li></ul> <ul type="square"><li>Repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments.</li></ul> The Fund invests primarily in the investment grade debt obligations of domestic issuers. Investment grade debt obligations are obligations rated within the top four rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund also may invest to a limited extent in U.S. dollar denominated investment grade obligations of foreign issuers. In buying and selling securities for the Fund, the investment management team uses a relative value approach. This approach involves an analysis of general economic and market conditions. It also involves the use of models that analyze and compare expected returns and assumed risks. Under the relative value approach, the investment management team will emphasize particular securities and types of securities (such as treasury, agency, asset-backed, mortgage-related and corporate securities) that the team believes will provide a favorable total return in light of these risks. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity, under normal circumstances, will range between three and fifteen years. The investment management team may engage in active trading, and will not consider portfolio turnover a limiting factor in making decisions for the Fund. PRINCIPAL RISKS An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. FUND PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of the Predecessor Core Bond Fund, another portfolio advised by the Investment Adviser, will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”), which is expected to occur on or about November 16, 2012. The Predecessor Core Bond Fund was managed with the same investment objective, strategies and policies as will be followed by the Fund. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Core Bond Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization will be assumed by the Fund. The performance information set forth in the bar chart and table below is that of the Class A Shares of the Predecessor Core Bond Fund, which commenced operations on March 29, 2001. The Predecessor Core Bond 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 for the Fund is available and may be obtained on the Fund’s Web site at www.northernfunds.com or by calling 800-595-9111. 898 The Predecessor Core Bond Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURN (CLASS A)* 0.0417 0.0223 0.0423 0.0488 0.0403 0.0942 0.0658 lowest quarterly return -0.0261 The Fund will seek capital appreciation and current income in its attempt to maximize total return. In doing so, the Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and other fixed-income securities. These may include:<ul type="square"><li>Obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, including obligations issued by private issuers that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities;</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Obligations of state, local and foreign governments;</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Obligations of domestic and foreign banks and corporations;</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Zero coupon bonds, debentures, preferred stock and convertible securities;</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Mortgage and other asset-backed securities;</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Stripped securities evidencing ownership of future interest or principal payments on debt obligations; and</li></ul><ul type="square"><li>Repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments.</li></ul>Although the Fund primarily invests in investment grade domestic debt obligations (i.e., obligations rated within the top four rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or of comparable quality as determined by the Investment Adviser), it may invest to a limited extent in obligations of foreign issuers and in junk bonds. In buying and selling securities for the Fund, the investment management team uses a relative value approach. This approach involves an analysis of general economic and market conditions. It also involves the use of models that analyze and compare expected returns and assumed risks. Under the relative value approach, the investment management team will emphasize particular securities and types of securities (such as treasury, agency, asset-backed, mortgage-related and corporate securities) that the team believes will provide a favorable return in light of these risks. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity, under normal circumstances, will range between one and three years. The investment management team may engage in active trading, and will not consider portfolio turnover a limiting factor in making decisions for the Fund. 0.0791 0.0585 0.0524 0.0784 0.0655 0.048 0.0459 0.065 0.0554 0.0373 0.0366 0.0586 PRINCIPAL RISKS After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. FUND PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of the Predecessor Short Bond Fund, another portfolio advised by the Investment Adviser, will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”), which is expected to occur on or about November 16, 2012. The Predecessor Short Bond Fund was managed with the same investment objective, strategies and policies as will be followed by the Fund. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Short Bond Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization will be assumed by the Fund. The performance information set forth in the bar chart and table below is that of the Class A Shares of the Predecessor Short Bond Fund, which commenced operations on January 11, 1993. The Predecessor Short Bond 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 for the Fund is available and may be obtained on the Fund’s Web site at www.northernfunds.com or by calling 800-595-9111. The Predecessor Short Bond Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. highest quarterly return lowest quarterly return -0.0169 0.0184 0.0119 0.0436 0.0553 0.0312 0.0495 0.0369 CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURN (CLASS A)* highest quarterly return After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. 0.0227 0.0149 0.0147 0.0159 0.039 0.0281 0.0269 0.0399 0.0476 0.0283 0.0285 0.0482 The Fund seeks to provide investment results approximating the performance of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND 0 0.003 0.0036 0.0015 November 30, 2013 774 PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest substantially all (and at least 80%) of its net assets in a representative sample of the U.S. Treasury obligations included in the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. The Fund will buy and sell securities with the goal of achieving an overall duration and total return similar to that of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. The Barclays U.S. Treasury Index is an unmanaged index that includes a broad range of U.S. Treasury obligations and is considered representative of U.S. Treasury bond performance overall. As of July 30, 2012, the duration of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index was 5.72 years. The Fund is passively managed, which means it tries to duplicate the investment composition and performance of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index using computer programs and statistical procedures. Because the Fund will have fees and transaction expenses (while the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index has none), returns are likely to be below those of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. The Investment Adviser expects that, under normal circumstances, the quarterly performance of the Fund, before expenses, will track the performance of the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index within a 0.95 correlation coefficient. Barclays Capital, Inc. (“Barclays Capital”) does not endorse any of the securities in the Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. It is not a sponsor of the Fund and is not affiliated with the Fund in any way. PRINCIPAL RISKS MARKET RISK is the risk that the market values of fixed-income securities owned by the Fund may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably. MANAGEMENT RISK is the risk that a strategy used by the investment management team may fail to produce the intended results. LIQUIDITY RISK is the risk that certain portfolio securities may be less liquid than others, which may make them difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like, adversely affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and its returns. INTEREST RATE/MATURITY RISK is the risk that the value of the Fund’s assets will decline because of rising interest rates. This risk is generally lower for funds that have shorter-weighted maturities, such as money market funds and short-term bond funds. The magnitude of this decline will often be greater for longer-term fixed-income securities than shorter-term fixed income securities. PREPAYMENT (OR CALL) RISK is the risk that prepayment of the underlying mortgage or other collateral of some fixed-income securities may result in a decreased rate of return and a decline in value of those securities. DEBT EXTENSION RISK is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) later than expected. This may happen during a period of rising interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease and the Fund will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities. TRACKING RISK is the risk that the Fund’s performance may vary substantially from the performance of the benchmark index it tracks as a result of share purchases and redemptions, transaction costs, expenses and other factors. As with any mutual fund, it is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any other government agency, or The Northern Trust Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries or any other bank. FUND PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table that follow provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is currently contemplated that before the Fund commences operations, substantially all of the assets of the Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund, another portfolio advised by the Investment Adviser, will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”), which is expected to occur on or about November 16, 2012. The Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund was managed with the same investment objective, strategies and policies as will be followed by the Fund. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization will be assumed by the Fund. The performance information set forth in the bar chart and table below is that of the Class A Shares of the Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund, which commenced operations on January 11, 1993. The Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index 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 for the Fund is available and may be obtained on the Fund’s Web site at www.northernfunds.com or by calling 800-595-9111. The Predecessor U.S. Treasury Index Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. highest quarterly return lowest quarterly return -0.0324 0.033 0.0261 0.028 0.0892 0.1379 -0.0358 0.0557 CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURN (CLASS A)* After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. 0.096 0.0845 0.0665 0.0981 0.067 0.0529 0.05 0.0681 0.0617 0.0421 0.0412 0.0636 <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposedCOREBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposedUSTREASURYINDEXFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposedSHORTBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualTotalReturnsTransposedCOREBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualTotalReturnsTransposedUSTREASURYINDEXFUND column period compact * ~</div> <div style="display:none">~ http://www.northernfunds.com/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualTotalReturnsTransposedSHORTBONDFUND column period compact * ~</div> 8.5107 4.1173 0.6452 Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") has contractually agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses; a portion of the compensation paid to each Trustee who is not an officer, director or employee of Northern Trust Corporation or its subsidiaries; expenses related to third-party consultants engaged by the Board of Trustees of the Fund; membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum; extraordinary expenses; and interest, if any) to the extent the "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement" exceed 0.40%. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before November 30, 2013 without the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement will not correlate to the Northern Institutional Core Bond Portfolio's (the "Predecessor Core Bond Fund") ratios of expenses to (1) expenses before waivers, reimbursements and credits and (2) expenses net of waivers, reimbursements and credits, respectively, included in the Financial Highlights in the Fund's complete Prospectus, which do not reflect indirect expenses, such as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") has contractually agreed to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses; a portion of the compensation paid to each Trustee who is not an officer, director or employee of Northern Trust Corporation or its subsidiaries; expenses related to third-party consultants engaged by the Board of Trustees of the Fund; membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum; extraordinary expenses; and interest, if any) to the extent the "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement" exceed 0.15%. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before November 30, 2013 without the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees.