<PAGE>





[logo - American Funds /(R)/]                The right choice for the long term/(R)/




Washington Mutual
Investors Fund/SM/






 CLASS A SHARES       AWSHX       CLASS 529-A SHARES        CWMAX
 CLASS B SHARES       WSHBX       CLASS 529-B SHARES        CWMBX
 CLASS C SHARES       WSHCX       CLASS 529-C SHARES        CWMCX
 CLASS F-1 SHARES     WSHFX       CLASS 529-E SHARES        CWMEX
 CLASS F-2 SHARES     WMFFX       CLASS 529-F-1 SHARES      CWMFX




PROSPECTUS







July 1, 2009





TABLE OF CONTENTS

 X   Investment objective
 X   Fees and expenses of the fund
 X   Portfolio turnover
 X   Principal investment strategies
 X   Principal risks
 X   Investment results
 X   Investment adviser
 X   Purchase and sale of fund shares
 X   Tax information
 X   Payments to broker-dealers and other financial
     intermediaries
 X   Investment objective, strategies and risks
 X   Additional investment results
 X   Management and organization
 X   Shareholder information
 X   Choosing a share class
 X   Purchase, exchange and sale of shares
 X   Sales charges
 X   Sales charge reductions and waivers
 X   Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs
 X   Plans of distribution
 X   Other compensation to dealers
 X   How to sell shares
 X   Distributions and taxes
 X   Financial highlights



THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF
THESE SECURITIES. FURTHER, IT HAS NOT DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS
ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.




<PAGE>

[This page is intentionally left blank for this filing.]

<PAGE>

Investment objective

The fund's investment objective is to produce income and to provide an
opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock
investing.

Fees and expenses of the fund

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 and your
family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the
American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available
from your financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions and
waivers" section on page 28 of the fund's prospectus, and on page 49 of the
fund's statement of additional information.





 SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
                              CLASS A  CLASS B/1/  CLASS C          CLASS F-1,
                                AND       AND        AND    CLASS    F-2 AND
                               529-A    529-B/1/    529-C   529-E    529-F-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Maximum sales charge (load)
 imposed on purchases          5.75%      none      none    none       none
 (as a percentage of
 offering price)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales
 charge (load)                 none/2/   5.00%      1.00%    none      none
 (as a percentage of the
 amount redeemed)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load)   none       none      none    none       none
 imposed on
 reinvested dividends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees   none       none      none    none       none
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum annual account fee     $10        $10       $10     $10        $10
 (529 shares only)






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT YOU PAY EACH YEAR AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT)

                            CLASS A  CLASS B/1/  CLASS C  CLASS F-1   CLASS F-2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Management fees             x.xx%     x.xx%      x.xx%     x.xx%       x.xx%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or         x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx
 service (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses              x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx/3/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund           x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx/3/
 operating expenses

                            CLASS     CLASS      CLASS     CLASS       CLASS
                            529-A    529-B/1/    529-C     529-E      529-F-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Management fees             x.xx%     x.xx%      x.xx%     x.xx%       x.xx%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or         x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx
 service (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses              x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund           x.xx      x.xx       x.xx      x.xx        x.xx
 operating expenses





                                       1

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all
dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, that you pay the
maximum initial or contingent deferred sales charge, 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:




                                 1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Class A                          $xxx    $xxx     $xxx       $xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B                           xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C                           xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class F-1                         xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class F-2                         xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-A                       xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-B                       xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-C                       xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-E                       xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-F-1                     xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx




For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not
redeem your shares:




                                 1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Class B                          $xxx    $xxx    $   xxx   $   xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C                           xxx     xxx        xxx       xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-B                       xxx     xxx        xxx       xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 529-C                       xxx     xxx        xxx       xxx
---------------------------------------------------------------------




1   Available only by exchange from Class B or 529-B shares of other American
    Funds.
2   A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions
    made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an
    initial sales charge.
3   Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.


                                       2

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>


Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover 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 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 X% of
the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of larger, more established
companies that are listed on, or meet the financial listing requirements of, the
New York Stock Exchange and have a strong record of earnings and dividends.

Principal risks

YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS MAY BE
GREATER IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.


The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may
decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including
those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund;
conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local,
regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency,
interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Your 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, entity or person.


                                       3

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment results

The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the Investment Results table on page 5 shows how the fund's
average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad
measures of market performance. This information provides some indication of the
risks of investing in the fund. All fund results reflect the reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Unless otherwise noted, fund
results reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during
the period presented. Past results (before and after taxes) are not predictive
of future results.


CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included,
results would be lower.)

[begin bar chart]
1999          1.16
2000          9.06
2001          1.51
2002        -14.85
2003         25.82
2004          9.92
2005          3.55
2006         18.04
2007          3.97
2008        -33.10
[end bar chart]


Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were:




HIGHEST            15.94%  (quarter ended June 30, 2003)
LOWEST            -20.22%  (quarter ended December 31, 2008)



The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2009, was x.xx%.


Updated information on the fund's results can be obtained by visiting
americanfunds.com.


                                       4

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>




 INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITH MAXIMUM SALES CHARGES)
 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008:
                                          1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 7/31/52
 Before taxes                             -2.02%  10.63%    6.55%      12.53%
 After taxes on distributions             -3.09    9.95     5.24         N/A
 After taxes on distributions and sale     0.14    9.20     5.14         N/A
 of fund shares






                                      1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS B -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/00
 Before taxes                         -1.64%  10.83%      7.08%
 CLASS C -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01
 Before taxes                          2.18   11.01       5.72
 CLASS F-1 -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01
 Before taxes                          3.95   11.88       6.55
 CLASS 529-A -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02
 Before taxes                         -2.08   10.54       6.30
 CLASS 529-B -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02
 Before taxes                         -1.74   10.65       6.66
 CLASS 529-C -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02
 Before taxes                          2.10   10.92       6.47
 CLASS 529-E -- FIRST SOLD 3/1/02
 Before taxes                          3.57   11.49       6.49
 CLASS 529-F-1 -- FIRST SOLD 9/16/02
 Before taxes                          4.08   11.90      11.07






                            1 YEAR     5 YEARS     10 YEARS      LIFETIME/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 INDEXES/1/ (BEFORE TAXES)
 S&P 500                     5.49%      12.82%       5.91%          11.28%
 Lipper Growth & Income      4.28       12.86        5.91             N/A
 Funds Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A annualized 30-day yield at April 30, 2009: x.xx%
(For current yield information, please call American FundsLine/(R)/ at 800/325-3590.)




1   The S&P 500 reflects the market sectors in which the fund primarily invests.
    The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other mutual funds
    which disclose investment objectives that are reasonably comparable to those of
    the fund. See pages 10 of this prospectus for more information on the indexes
    listed above.
2   Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A
    shares were first sold.


After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other
share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest
individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods
shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual
after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ
from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns may not be relevant
if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a
401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.



                                       5

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment adviser

Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser to the
fund. Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple
portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets. The primary individual
portfolio counselors for Washington Mutual Investors Fund are:





                           PORTFOLIO
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/      COUNSELOR       PRIMARY TITLE WITH
 FUND TITLE               EXPERIENCE       INVESTMENT ADVISER
 (IF APPLICABLE)         IN THIS FUND      (OR AFFILIATE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ALAN N. BERRO             11 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES K. DUNTON           31 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           Research Global Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GREGORY D. JOHNSON         8 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ROBERT G. O'DONNELL       16 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES F. ROTHENBERG       10 years        Chairman of the Board, Capital
                                           Research and Management Company

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW           4 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EUGENE P. STEIN            1 year         Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------




Purchase and sale of fund shares

PURCHASE MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS




 PURCHASE MINIMUMS FOR ALL CLASSES OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 To establish an account (including retirement plan and 529           $    250
 accounts)
    For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll
    deduction                                                               25
    savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account
 To add to an account                                                       50
    For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll                25
    deduction
    savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PURCHASE MAXIMUM PER TRANSACTION FOR CLASS C SHARES                   500,000




You may sell (redeem) shares through your dealer or financial adviser, by
writing to American Funds Service Company, telephoning (800/421-0180) or faxing
American Funds Service Company or on our website (americanfunds.com).


                                       6

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Tax information

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will be
subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state or local taxes --
unless you are exempt from taxation.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the
intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments
may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other
intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more
information.


                                       7

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment objective, strategies and risks

The fund's investment objective is to produce income and to provide an
opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock
investing. The fund strives to accomplish this objective through fundamental
research, careful selection and broad diversification. In the selection of
securities for investment, current and potential yield as well as the potential
for long-term capital appreciation are considered. The fund strives in its
overall portfolio to achieve an above-average yield in relation to Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Index (a broad, unmanaged index).

The fund has stringent Investment Standards based upon criteria originally
adopted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and in
effect for many years for determining eligibility under the Court's Legal List
procedure for the investment of trust funds. Applying these Investment
Standards, the fund's investment adviser compiles an "Eligible List" of
investments considered appropriate for a prudent investor seeking opportunities
for income and growth of principal consistent with common stock investing. The
investment adviser is required to select the fund's investments exclusively from
the Eligible List. The investment adviser monitors the Eligible List and makes
recommendations to the board of directors regading changes necessary for
continued compliance with the fund's Investment Standards.

The fund is designed to provide fiduciaries, organizations, institutions and
individuals with a convenient and prudent medium of investment in high-quality
common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. It is especially
designed to serve those individuals who are charged with the responsibility of
investing retirement plan trusts, other fiduciary-type reserves or family funds,
but who are reluctant to undertake the selection and supervision of individual
stocks.

The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may
decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including
those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund;
conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local,
regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency,
interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

The fund's policy is to maintain at all times for its shareholders a fully
invested and widely diversified portfolio of securities; however, the fund may
hold, to a limited extent, short-term U.S. government securities, other money
market instruments, cash and cash equivalents.


                                       8

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

In addition to the principal investment strategies described above, the fund has
other investment practices that are described in the statement of additional
information.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.


                                       9

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Additional investment results

Unlike the Investment Results table on page 5, the table below reflects the
fund's results calculated without sales charges.




 ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS RESULTS (WITHOUT SALES CHARGES)
 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008:
                                          1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 7/31/52
 Before taxes                             3.97%   11.94%    7.18%      12.65%
 After taxes on distributions             2.83    11.26     5.86         N/A
 After taxes on distributions and sale    4.13    10.38     5.71         N/A
 of fund shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------






                                      1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS B -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/00
 Before taxes                         3.19%   11.09%      7.08%
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01
 Before taxes                         3.14    11.01       5.72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS F-1 -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01
 Before taxes                         3.95    11.88       6.55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-A -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02
 Before taxes                         3.89    11.85       7.37
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-B -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02
 Before taxes                         3.08    10.92       6.79
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-C -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02
 Before taxes                         3.06    10.92       6.47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-E -- FIRST SOLD 3/1/02
 Before taxes                         3.57    11.49       6.49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-F-1 -- FIRST SOLD 9/16/02
 Before taxes                         4.08    11.90      11.07
-----------------------------------------------------------------






                          1 YEAR      5 YEARS      10 YEARS       LIFETIME/2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 INDEXES/1/ (BEFORE TAXES)
 S&P 500                  5.49%       12.82%        5.91%           11.28%
 Lipper Growth &          4.28        12.86         5.91              N/A
 Income Funds Index
Class A distribution rate at December 31, 2008: 3.29%/3/
(For current distribution rate information, please call American FundsLine at 800/325-3590.)




1   The S&P 500 reflects the market sectors in which the fund primarily invests.
    The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other mutual funds
    which disclose investment objectives that are reasonably comparable to those of
    the fund.
2   Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A
    shares were first sold.
3   The distribution rate is based on actual dividends paid to Class A
    shareholders over a 12-month period. Capital gain distributions, if any, are
    added back to net asset value to determine the rate.


                                       10

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>


The investment results tables above and on page 5 show how the fund's average
annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market performance.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted
index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common
stocks. This index is unmanaged and its results include reinvested dividends
and/or distributions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges,
commissions, expenses or taxes. The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index is an
equally weighted index of funds that combine a growth-of-earnings orientation
and an income requirement for level and/or rising dividends. The results of the
underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for
portfolio transactions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges or taxes.



                                       11

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Management and organization

BUSINESS MANAGER

Washington Management Corporation or its predecessors, since the fund's
inception, has provided the services necessary to carry on the fund's general
administrative and corporate affairs. These services encompass matters relating
to general corporate governance, regulatory compliance and monitoring of the
fund's contractual service providers, including custodian operations,
shareholder services and fund share distribution functions. Washington
Management Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Johnston-Lemon Group,
Incorporated, maintains its principal business address at 1101 Vermont Avenue,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20005.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management
organization founded in 1931, serves as investment adviser to the fund and other
funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is
a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at
333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, and 6455 Irvine Center
Drive, Irvine, California 92618. Capital Research and Management Company manages
the investment portfolio of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund,
as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year appears in
the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund."
A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund's investment
advisory agreement by the fund's board of directors is contained in the fund's
semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2008.

Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through two
investment divisions, Capital World Investors and Capital Research Global
Investors, and manages fixed-income assets through its Fixed Income division.
Capital World Investors and Capital Research Global Investors make investment
decisions on an independent basis.

Rather than remain as investment divisions, Capital World Investors and Capital
Research Global Investors may be incorporated into wholly owned subsidiaries of
Capital Research and Management Company. In that event, Capital Research and
Management Company would continue to be the investment adviser, and day-to-day
investment management of equity assets would continue to be carried out through
one or both of these subsidiaries. Capital Research and Management Company and
the funds it advises have applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission for
an exemptive order that would give Capital Research and Management Company the
authority to use, upon approval of the funds' boards, its management
subsidiaries and affiliates to provide day-to-day investment management services
to the funds, including making changes to the management subsidiaries and
affiliates providing such services. Approval by the funds' shareholders would be
required before any authority granted under an exemptive order could be


                                       12

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

exercised. There is no assurance that Capital Research and Management Company
will incorporate its investment divisions or seek a shareholder vote to exercise
any authority, if granted, under an exemptive order.

EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's
portfolio transactions. In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser
strives to obtain "best execution" (the most favorable total price reasonably
attainable under the circumstances) for the fund's portfolio transactions,
taking into account a variety of factors. Subject to best execution, the
investment adviser may consider investment research and/or brokerage services
provided to the adviser in placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions.
The investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions
with broker-dealers who have sold shares of funds managed by the investment
adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not give consideration to
whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment
adviser or its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund's
portfolio transactions. A more detailed description of the investment adviser's
policies is included in the fund's statement of additional information.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds
website at americanfunds.com. To reach this information, access the fund's
detailed information page on the website. A list of the fund's top 10 equity
holdings, updated as of each month-end, is generally posted to this page within
14 days after the end of the applicable month. A link to the fund's complete
list of publicly disclosed portfolio holdings, updated as of each calendar
quarter-end, is generally posted to this page within 45 days after the end of
the applicable quarter. Both lists remain available on the website until new
information for the next month or quarter is posted. Portfolio holdings
information for the fund is also contained in reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

A description of the fund's policies and procedures regarding disclosure of
information about its portfolio holdings is available in the statement of
additional information.

MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM

Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio
counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of
a fund is divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how
their respective segments will be invested. In addition, Capital Research and
Management Company's investment analysts may make investment decisions with
respect to a portion of a fund's portfolio. Investment decisions are subject to
a fund's objective(s), policies and restrictions and the oversight of the
appropriate investment-related committees of Capital Research and Management
Company and its investment divisions. The table below shows the investment
experience and role in management of the fund for each of the primary individual
portfolio counselors for the fund.


                                       13

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>




                                                                   ROLE IN
                       INVESTMENT                 EXPERIENCE       MANAGEMENT
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   EXPERIENCE                IN THIS FUND      OF THE FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ALAN N. BERRO         Investment                  11 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 23     (plus 6 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years in total;         prior experience
                       18 years with Capital        as an
                       Research and           investment analyst
                       Management Company or    for the fund)
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES K. DUNTON       Investment                  31 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 47     (plus 7 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GREGORY D. JOHNSON    Investment                  8 years         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 16     (plus 7 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ROBERT G. O'DONNELL   Investment                  16 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 37    (plus 17 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years in total;         prior experience
                       34 years with Capital        as an
                       Research and           investment analyst
                       Management Company or    for the fund)
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES F. ROTHENBERG   Investment                  10 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 39     (plus 9 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW      Investment                  4 years         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 41                         portfolio counselor
                       years in total;
                       12 years with Capital
                       Research and
                       Management Company or
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EUGENE P. STEIN       Investment                   1 year         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 38                         portfolio counselor
                       years in total;
                       37 years with Capital
                       Research and
                       Management Company or
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Information regarding the portfolio counselors' compensation, their ownership of
securities in the fund and other accounts they manage can be found in the
statement of additional information.


                                       14

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Shareholder information

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

American Funds Service Company/(R)/,the fund's transfer agent, offers a wide
range of services that you can use to alter your investment program should your
needs and circumstances change. These services may be terminated or modified at
any time upon 60 days' written notice.



AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY SERVICE AREAS
Call toll-free from anywhere in the United States
(8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET): 800/421-0180
Access the American Funds website : americanfunds.com


              [map of the United States]





INDIANA                            VIRGINIA
SERVICE CENTER                     SERVICE CENTER
American Funds                     American Funds
Service Company                    Service Company
P.O. Box 6007                      P.O. Box 2280
Indianapolis, Indiana              Norfolk, Virginia
46206-6007                         23501-2280
Fax: 317/735-6636                  Fax: 757/670-4761



A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POLICIES AND SERVICES IS INCLUDED IN THE FUND'S
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE OWNER'S GUIDE SENT TO NEW AMERICAN
FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED WELCOME. CLASS 529 SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD ALSO REFER TO
THE APPLICABLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION FOR INFORMATION ON POLICIES AND SERVICES
SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO THEIR ACCOUNT(S). These documents are available by
writing or calling American Funds Service Company. Certain privileges and/or
services described on the following pages of this prospectus and in the
statement of additional information may not be available to you depending on
your investment dealer. Please see your financial adviser or investment dealer
for more information.


                                       15

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Choosing a share class

The fund offers different classes of shares through this prospectus. Class A, B,
C, F-1 and F-2 shares are available through various investment programs or
accounts, including certain types of retirement plans (see limitations below).
The services or share classes available to you may vary depending upon how you
wish to purchase shares of the fund. Unless otherwise noted, references in this
prospectus to Class F shares refer to both F-1 and F-2 shares.

Effective April 21, 2009, Class B and 529-B shares may not be purchased or
acquired by exchange from share classes other than Class B or 529-B shares. Any
investment received by the fund on or after this date that is intended for Class
B or 529-B shares will instead be invested in Class A or 529-A shares and
subject to any applicable sales charges.

Shareholders with investments in Class B and 529-B shares may continue to hold
such shares until they convert to Class A or 529-A shares. However, no
additional investments will be accepted in Class B or 529-B shares on or after
April 21, 2009. Dividends and capital gain distributions may continue to be
reinvested in Class B or 529-B shares until their conversion dates. In addition,
shareholders invested in Class B or 529-B shares will be able to exchange those
shares for Class B or 529-B shares of other American Funds offering Class B or
529-B shares until they convert.

Investors residing in any state may purchase Class 529 shares through an account
established with a 529 college savings plan managed by the American Funds
organization. Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C and 529-F-1 shares are structured
similarly to the corresponding Class A, B, C and F-1 shares. For example, the
same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares.
Class 529-E shares are available only to investors participating through an
eligible employer plan.

Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities,
but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to
choose the class that best fits your situation. WHEN YOU PURCHASE SHARES OF THE
FUND, YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A SHARE CLASS. IF NONE IS CHOSEN, YOUR INVESTMENT WILL
BE MADE IN CLASS A SHARES OR, IN THE CASE OF A 529 PLAN INVESTMENT, CLASS 529-A
SHARES.

Factors you should consider in choosing a class of shares include:

. how long you expect to own the shares;

. how much you intend to invest;

. total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

. whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges (for
  example, Class A or 529-A shares may be a less expensive option over time,
  particularly if you qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver);

. whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future (for example,
  the contingent deferred sales charge will not be waived if you sell your Class
  529-B or 529-C shares to cover higher education expenses); and


                                       16

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

. availability of share classes:

  -- Class C shares are not available to retirement plans that do not currently
     invest in such shares and that are eligible to invest in Class R shares,
     including employer-sponsored retirement plans such as defined benefit plans,
     401(k) plans, 457 plans, 403(b) plans, and money purchase pension and
     profit-sharing plans; and

  -- Class F and 529-F-1 shares are generally available only to fee-based
     programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund's
     distributor and to certain registered investment advisers.

EACH INVESTOR'S FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE DIFFERENT. YOU SHOULD SPEAK WITH
YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH SHARE CLASS IS BEST FOR YOU.

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, REFERENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO CLASS A, B, C OR
F-1 SHARES ALSO REFER TO THE CORRESPONDING CLASS 529-A, 529-B, 529-C OR 529-F-1
SHARES.


                                       17

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>



 SUMMARY OF THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES AMONG SHARE CLASSES

 CLASS A SHARES
 Initial sales charge    up to 5.75% (reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more
                         and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more)
 Contingent deferred     none (except that a charge of 1.00% applies to certain
 sales charge            redemptions made within one year following purchases
                         of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge)
 12b-1 fees              up to .25% annually (for Class 529-A shares, may not
                         exceed .50% annually)
 Dividends               generally higher than other classes due to lower
                         annual expenses, but may be lower than Class F-1
                         shares, depending on relative expenses, and lower than
                         Class F-2 shares due to higher 12b-1 fees
 Purchase maximum        none
 Conversion              none
 CLASS B SHARES
 Initial sales charge    none
 Contingent deferred     starts at 5.00%, declining to 0% six years after
 sales charge            purchase
 12b-1 fees              up to 1.00% annually
 Dividends               generally lower than Class A and F shares due to
                         higher 12b-1 fees and other expenses, but higher than
                         Class C shares due to lower other expenses
 Purchase maximum        Class B shares may not be purchased or acquired except
                         by exchange from Class B shares of other American
                         Funds
 Conversion              automatic conversion to Class A or 529-A shares in the
                         month of the eight-year anniversary of the purchase
                         date, reducing future annual expenses
 CLASS C SHARES
 Initial sales charge    none
 Contingent deferred     1.00% if shares are sold within one year after
 sales charge            purchase
 12b-1 fees              up to 1.00% annually
 Dividends               generally lower than other classes due to higher 12b-1
                         fees and other expenses
 Purchase maximum        see the discussion regarding purchase minimums and
                         maximums in "Purchase and exchange of shares"
 Conversion              automatic conversion to Class F-1 shares in the month
                         of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date,
                         reducing future annual expenses (Class 529-C shares
                         will not convert to Class 529-F-1 shares)
 CLASS 529-E SHARES
 Initial sales charge    none
 Contingent deferred     none
 sales charge
 12b-1 fees              currently up to .50% annually (may not exceed .75%
                         annually)
 Dividends               generally higher than Class 529-B and 529-C shares due
                         to lower 12b-1 fees, but lower than Class 529-A and
                         529-F-1 shares due to higher 12b-1 fees
 Purchase maximum        none
 Conversion              none



                                       18

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>



 SUMMARY OF THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES AMONG SHARE CLASSES

 CLASS F-1 SHARES
 Initial sales charge    none
 Contingent deferred     none
 sales charge
 12b-1 fees              currently up to .25% annually (may not exceed .50%
                         annually)
 Dividends               generally higher than Class B and C shares due to
                         lower 12b-1 fees, and may be higher than Class A
                         shares, depending on relative expenses, and lower than
                         Class F-2 shares due to higher 12b-1 fees
 Purchase maximum        none
 Conversion              none
 CLASS F-2 SHARES
 Initial sales charge    none
 Contingent deferred     none
 sales charge
 12b-1 fees              none
 Dividends               generally higher than other classes due to absence of
                         12b-1 fees
 Purchase maximum        none
 Conversion              none








                                       19

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Purchase, exchange and sale of shares

THE FUND'S TRANSFER AGENT, ON BEHALF OF THE FUND AND AMERICAN FUNDS
DISTRIBUTORS,/(R)/ THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR, IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO OBTAIN CERTAIN
PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON(S) ACTING ON YOUR BEHALF IN
ORDER TO VERIFY YOUR OR SUCH PERSON'S IDENTITY. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE
INFORMATION, THE TRANSFER AGENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT. IF THE
TRANSFER AGENT IS UNABLE TO VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY OR THAT OF ANY OTHER PERSON(S)
AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF, OR BELIEVES IT HAS IDENTIFIED POTENTIALLY
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, THE FUND AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO
CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT OR TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTION THEY DEEM REASONABLE OR REQUIRED BY
LAW.

When purchasing shares, you should designate the fund or funds in which you wish
to invest. If no fund is designated and the amount of your cash investment is
more than $5,000, your money will be held uninvested (without liability to the
transfer agent for loss of income or appreciation pending receipt of proper
instructions) until investment instructions are received, but for no more than
three business days. Your investment will be made at the net asset value (plus
any applicable sales charge in the case of Class A shares) next determined after
investment instructions are received and accepted by the transfer agent. If
investment instructions are not received, your money will be invested in Class A
shares of the American Funds Money Market Fund on the third business day after
receipt of your investment.

If no fund is designated and the amount of your cash investment is $5,000 or
less, your money will be invested in the same proportion and in the same fund or
funds in which your last cash investment (excluding exchanges) was made,
provided such investment was made within the last 16 months. If no investment
was made within the last 16 months, your money will be held uninvested (without
liability to the transfer agent for loss of income or appreciation pending
receipt of proper instructions) until investment instructions are received, but
for no more than three business days. Your investment will be made at the net
asset value (plus any applicable sales charge in the case of Class A shares)
next determined after investment instructions are received and accepted by the
transfer agent. If investment instructions are not received, your money will be
invested in Class A shares of the American Funds Money Market Fund on the third
business day after receipt of your investment.

PURCHASE OF CLASS A AND C SHARES

You may generally open an account and purchase Class A and C shares by
contacting any financial adviser (who may impose transaction charges in addition
to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund's shares. You
may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial
adviser and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.


                                       20

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

PURCHASE OF CLASS F SHARES

You may generally open an account and purchase Class F shares only through
fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the
fund's distributor and through certain registered investment advisers. These
dealers and advisers typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide.
Intermediary fees normally range from .75% to 1.50% of assets annually,
depending on the services offered.

PURCHASE OF CLASS 529 SHARES

Class 529 shares may be purchased only through an account established with a 529
college savings plan managed by the American Funds organization. You may open
this type of account and purchase 529 shares by contacting any financial adviser
(who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this
prospectus) authorized to sell such an account. You may purchase additional
shares in various ways, including through your financial adviser and by mail,
telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by employees participating through an
eligible employer plan.

Accounts holding 529 shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual
$10 account maintenance fee.

EXCHANGE

Generally, you may exchange your shares into shares of the same class of other
American Funds without a sales charge. Class A, C or F-1 shares may generally be
exchanged into the corresponding 529 share class without a sales charge. Class B
shares may not be exchanged into Class 529-B shares. EXCHANGES FROM CLASS A, C
OR F-1 SHARES TO THE CORRESPONDING 529 SHARE CLASS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF
UNIFORM GIFTS TO MINORS ACT OR UNIFORM TRANSFERS TO MINORS ACT CUSTODIAL
ACCOUNTS, MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT LEGAL AND TAX CONSEQUENCES AS DESCRIBED IN
THE APPLICABLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER BEFORE
MAKING SUCH AN EXCHANGE.

Exchanges of shares from American Funds money market funds initially purchased
without a sales charge generally will be subject to the appropriate sales
charge. For purposes of computing the contingent deferred sales charge on Class
B and C shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured
from the date of original purchase and will not be affected by any permitted
exchange.

Exchanges have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases. For
example, to the extent you exchange shares held in a taxable account that are
worth more now than what you paid for them, the gain will be subject to
taxation. See "Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet" in this
prospectus for information regarding electronic exchanges.


                                       21

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

FREQUENT TRADING OF FUND SHARES

The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any
purchase order for any reason. The fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle
for frequent trading. Frequent trading of fund shares may lead to increased
costs to the fund and less efficient management of the fund's portfolio,
potentially resulting in dilution of the value of the shares held by long-term
shareholders. Accordingly, purchases, including those that are part of exchange
activity that the fund or American Funds Distributors has determined could
involve actual or potential harm to the fund, may be rejected.

The fund, through its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, maintains
surveillance procedures that are designed to detect frequent trading in fund
shares. Under these procedures, various analytics are used to evaluate factors
that may be indicative of frequent trading. For example, transactions in fund
shares that exceed certain monetary thresholds may be scrutinized. American
Funds Service Company also may review transactions that occur close in time to
other transactions in the same account or in multiple accounts under common
ownership or influence. Trading activity that is identified through these
procedures or as a result of any other information available to the fund will be
evaluated to determine whether such activity might constitute frequent trading.
These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the
detection of frequent trading, to facilitate monitoring for frequent trading in
particular retirement plans or other accounts, and to comply with applicable
laws.

In addition to the fund's broad ability to restrict potentially harmful trading
as described above, the fund's board of directors has adopted a "purchase
blocking policy" under which any shareholder redeeming shares having a value of
$5,000 or more from the fund will be precluded from investing in the fund for 30
calendar days after the redemption transaction. This policy also applies to
redemptions and purchases that are part of exchange transactions. Under the
fund's purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and
certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as systematic
redemptions and purchases, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account
is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase;
purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000;
transactions in Class 529 shares; purchases and redemptions resulting from
reallocations by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series/(R)/; retirement
plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals)
identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper's system; and purchase
transactions involving transfers of assets, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and
IRA recharacterizations, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is
able to identify the transaction as one of these types of transactions.

The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy with respect
to specific shareholder accounts in those instances where American Funds Service
Company determines that its surveillance procedures are adequate to detect
frequent trading in fund shares.


                                       22

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

American Funds Service Company will work with certain intermediaries (such as
investment dealers holding shareholder accounts in street name, retirement plan
recordkeepers, insurance company separate accounts and bank trust companies) to
apply their own procedures, provided that American Funds Service Company
believes the intermediary's procedures are reasonably designed to enforce the
frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided
by the intermediaries with which you have an account to determine the specific
trading restrictions that apply to you.

If American Funds Service Company identifies any activity that may constitute
frequent trading, it reserves the right to contact the intermediary and request
that the intermediary either provide information regarding an account owner's
transactions or restrict the account owner's trading. If American Funds Service
Company is not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action,
American Funds Service Company may terminate the intermediary's ability to
transact in fund shares.

There is no guarantee that all instances of frequent trading in fund shares will
be prevented.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE FUND'S SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES AND PURCHASE BLOCKING POLICY,
ALL TRANSACTIONS IN FUND SHARES REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE FUNDS AND
AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS TO RESTRICT POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE TRADING GENERALLY
(INCLUDING THE TYPES OF TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE THAT WILL NOT BE PREVENTED
OR TRIGGER A BLOCK UNDER THE PURCHASE BLOCKING POLICY). SEE THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE
COMPANY MAY ADDRESS OTHER POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE TRADING ACTIVITY IN THE AMERICAN
FUNDS.

PURCHASE MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS


The purchase minimums described on the table on page 6 may be waived in certain
cases. See the statement of additional information for details.

For accounts established with an automatic investment plan, the initial purchase
minimum of $250 may be waived if the purchases (including purchases through
exchanges from another fund) made under the plan are sufficient to reach $250
within five months of account establishment.

The effective purchase maximums for Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1 shares
will reflect the maximum applicable contribution limits under state law. See the
applicable program description for more information.

If you have significant American Funds holdings, you may not be eligible to
invest in Class C shares (or their corresponding 529 share classes).
Specifically, you may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if you are eligible
to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge
discount rate (i.e., at net asset value). See "Sales charge reductions and
waivers" in this prospectus and the statement of additional information for more
information regarding sales charge discounts.


                                       23

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

VALUING SHARES

The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single
share. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, the
normal close of regular trading. Assets are valued primarily on the basis of
market quotations. However, the fund has adopted procedures for making "fair
value" determinations if market quotations are not readily available or are not
considered reliable. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more
appropriate net asset values.

Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales
charge in the case of Class A shares), or sold at the net asset value next
determined after American Funds Service Company receives your request provided
your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to
process the transaction. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the
time you sell certain Class A, B and C shares.

MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES AND ACCOUNTS

Please see the statement of additional information for details and limitations
on moving investments in certain share classes to different share classes and on
moving investments held in certain accounts to different accounts.

OTHER EXPENSES

The "Other expenses" items in the table on page 1 include custodial, legal,
transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments and various other
expenses. Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to third parties
(including affiliates of the fund's investment adviser) that provide subtransfer
agent, recordkeeping and/or shareholder services with respect to certain
shareholder accounts in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. The
amount paid for subtransfer agent/recordkeeping services varies depending on the
share class and services provided, and typically ranges from $3 to $19 per
account. For class 529 shares an expense of up to a maximum of .10% paid to a
state or states for oversight and administrative services is included.


                                       24

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Sales charges

CLASS A SHARES

The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class A shares differs
depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger
purchases as indicated below. Any applicable sales charge will be deducted
directly from your investment.



                                       SALES CHARGE AS A
                                         PERCENTAGE OF:
                                                                 DEALER
                                                   NET         COMMISSION
                                       OFFERING   AMOUNT     AS A PERCENTAGE
 INVESTMENT                             PRICE    INVESTED   OF OFFERING PRICE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Less than $25,000                      5.75%     6.10%           5.00%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $25,000 but less than $50,000          5.00      5.26            4.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $50,000 but less than $100,000         4.50      4.71            3.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $100,000 but less than $250,000        3.50      3.63            2.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $250,000 but less than $500,000        2.50      2.56            2.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $500,000 but less than $750,000        2.00      2.04            1.60
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $750,000 but less than $1 million      1.50      1.52            1.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $1 million or more and certain other   none      none      see below
 investments described below
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net
amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the
table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales
charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased
from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using
standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of
the investment and the net asset value of the shares. Similarly, any contingent
deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in Class A shares may be higher
or lower than the 1% charge described below due to rounding.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BELOW, INVESTMENTS IN CLASS A SHARES OF $1 MILLION OR MORE
MAY BE SUBJECT TO A 1% CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE IF THE SHARES ARE SOLD
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on
the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold,
whichever is less.

CLASS A PURCHASES NOT SUBJECT TO SALES CHARGES

The following investments are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred
sales charge if American Funds Service Company is properly notified of the
nature of the investment:

. investments in Class A shares made by endowments or foundations with $50
  million or more in assets;


                                       25

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

. investments made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based
  programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of your
  investment dealer's load-waived Class A share program with the American Funds;
  and

. certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see "Rollovers
  from retirement plans to IRAs" in this prospectus for more information).

The distributor may pay dealers up to 1% on investments made in Class A shares
with no initial sales charge. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these
payments through its plans of distribution (see "Plans of distribution" in this
prospectus).

Transfers from certain 529 plans to plans managed by the American Funds
organization will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to
the dealer on such a transfer. Please see the statement of additional
information for more information.

Certain other investors may qualify to purchase shares without a sales charge,
such as employees of investment dealers and registered investment advisers
authorized to sell American Funds and employees of The Capital Group Companies,
Inc. Please see the statement of additional information for more information.


 EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS

 Many employer-sponsored retirement plans are eligible to purchase Class R
 shares. Such eligible plans and Class R shares are described in more detail in
 the fund's retirement plan prospectus.

 Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are eligible to purchase Class R
 shares may instead purchase Class A shares and pay the applicable Class A sales
 charge, provided their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan
 investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1
 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without
 a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention
 that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More
 information about statements of intention can be found under "Sales charge
 reductions and waivers" in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares
 with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with
 the sales charge table in this prospectus.

 Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any
 sales charge on or before March 31, 2004, and that continue to meet the
 eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A
 shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase Class A shares without any
 initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

 A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares unless such plan was
 invested in Class A or C shares prior to January 1, 2009.


                                       26

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>


CLASS B AND C SHARES

Class C shares are sold without any initial sales charge. American Funds
Distributors pays 1% of the amount invested to dealers who sell Class C shares.

For Class B shares, a contingent deferred sales charge may be applied to shares
you sell within six years of purchase, as shown in the table below. The
contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated 6 years after purchase.



CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS B SHARES

YEAR OF REDEMPTION:                1    2    3    4    5    6     7+
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE:  5%   4%   4%   3%   2%   1%    0%



For Class C shares, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies if shares
are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is
eliminated one year after purchase.

Any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in Class B or C
shares, expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount, may be
higher or lower than the percentages described above due to rounding.

Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions
are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, the
contingent deferred sales charge may be waived in certain circumstances. See
"Contingent deferred sales charge waivers" in this prospectus. The contingent
deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current
market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. For purposes of
determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if you sell only some of your
shares, shares that are not subject to any contingent deferred sales charge will
be sold first, followed by shares that you have owned the longest.

See "Plans of distribution" in this prospectus for ongoing compensation paid to
your dealer or financial adviser for all share classes.

AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF CLASS B AND C SHARES

Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the month of the
eight-year anniversary of the purchase date. Class C shares automatically
convert to Class F-1 shares in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the
purchase date; however, Class 529-C shares will not convert to Class 529-F-1
shares. The Internal Revenue Service currently takes the position that these
automatic conversions are not taxable. Should its position change, the automatic
conversion feature may be suspended. If this happens, you would have the option
of converting your Class B, 529-B or C shares to the respective share classes at
the anniversary dates described above. This exchange would be based on the
relative net asset values of the two classes in question, without the imposition
of a sales charge or fee, but you might face certain tax consequences as a
result.


                                       27

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

CLASS 529-E AND CLASS F SHARES

Class 529-E and Class F shares are sold without any initial or contingent
deferred sales charge.

Sales charge reductions and waivers

TO RECEIVE A REDUCTION IN YOUR CLASS A INITIAL SALES CHARGE, YOU MUST LET YOUR
FINANCIAL ADVISER OR AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY KNOW AT THE TIME YOU
PURCHASE SHARES THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR SUCH A REDUCTION. IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR
ADVISER OR AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY KNOW THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A
REDUCTION, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE A SALES CHARGE DISCOUNT TO WHICH YOU ARE
OTHERWISE ENTITLED. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales
charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your adviser or American
Funds Service Company with information and records (including account
statements) of all relevant accounts invested in the American Funds.

IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS, YOU MAY OBTAIN MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE CLASSES, SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND
WAIVERS THROUGH A LINK ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE AMERICAN FUNDS WEBSITE AT
AMERICANFUNDS.COM, FROM THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR FROM YOUR
FINANCIAL ADVISER.

REDUCING YOUR CLASS A INITIAL SALES CHARGE

Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, you and your
"immediate family" (your spouse -- or equivalent if recognized under local law
-- and your children under the age of 21) may combine all of your American Funds
investments to reduce your Class A sales charge. Certain investments in the
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series may also be combined for this
purpose. Please see the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series prospectus
for further information. However, for this purpose, investments representing
direct purchases of American Funds money market funds are excluded. Following
are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge:

 AGGREGATING ACCOUNTS

 To receive a reduced Class A sales charge, investments made by you and your
 immediate family (see above) may be aggregated if made for your own account(s)
 and/or certain other accounts, such as:

. trust accounts established by the above individuals (please see the statement
   of additional information for details regarding aggregation of trust accounts
   where the person(s) who established the trust is/are deceased);

. solely controlled business accounts; and

. single-participant retirement plans.


                                       28

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

 CONCURRENT PURCHASES

 You may combine simultaneous purchases (including, upon your request, purchases
 for gifts) of any class of shares of two or more American Funds (excluding
 American Funds money market funds) to qualify for a reduced Class A sales
 charge.

 RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION

 You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the
 American Funds (excluding American Funds money market funds) to determine the
 initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. Subject to
 your investment dealer's capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be
 calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings or
 (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains,
 but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the
 statement of additional information for further details. You should retain any
 records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested.

 If you make a gift of shares, upon your request you may purchase the shares at
 the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your
 American Funds accounts.

 STATEMENT OF INTENTION

 You may reduce your Class A sales charge by establishing a statement of
 intention. A statement of intention allows you to combine all purchases of all
 share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds money market
 funds) you intend to make over a 13-month period to determine the applicable
 sales charge; however, purchases made under a right of reinvestment,
 appreciation of your holdings, and reinvested dividends and capital gains do
 not count as purchases made during the statement period. The market value of
 your existing holdings eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately
 before the start of the statement period may be credited toward satisfying the
 statement. A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional
 Class A sales charges that may be due if your total purchases over the
 statement period do not qualify you for the applicable sales charge reduction.
 Employer-sponsored retirement plans may be restricted from establishing
 statements of intention. See "Sales charges" in this prospectus for more
 information.


                                       29

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT

If you notify American Funds Service Company, you may reinvest proceeds from a
redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge
in the same fund or other American Funds provided that the reinvestment occurs
within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution and is made into
the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the
distribution. If the account has been closed, you may reinvest without a sales
charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed
account. Proceeds from a Class B share redemption made during the contingent
deferred sales charge period will be reinvested in Class A shares. If you redeem
Class B shares after the contingent deferred sales charge period, you may either
reinvest the proceeds in Class B shares or purchase Class A shares; if you
purchase Class A shares, you are responsible for paying any applicable Class A
sales charges. Proceeds from any other type of redemption and all dividend
payments and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the same share
class from which the original redemption or distribution was made. Any
contingent deferred sales charge on Class A or C shares will be credited to your
account. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in
American Funds money market funds that are reinvested in non-money market
American Funds will be subject to a sales charge. Proceeds will be reinvested at
the next calculated net asset value after your request is received and accepted
by American Funds Service Company. For purposes of this "right of reinvestment
policy," automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases,
withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions
are not eligible for investment without a sales charge. See the statement of
additional information for further information on the operation of this policy
with respect to required minimum distributions. You may not reinvest proceeds in
the American Funds as described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject
to a purchase block as described under "Frequent trading of fund shares" in this
prospectus. This paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as
described under "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs" in this prospectus.



                                       30

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE WAIVERS

The contingent deferred sales charge on Class A, B and C shares may be waived in
the following cases:

. permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then
  redeemed within the period during which a contingent deferred sales charge
  would apply to the initial shares purchased;

. tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs;

. redemptions due to death or postpurchase disability of the shareholder (this
  generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other
  entities);

. for 529 share classes only, redemptions due to a beneficiary's death,
  postpurchase disability or receipt of a scholarship (to the extent of the
  scholarship award);

. redemptions due to the complete termination of a trust upon the death of the
  trustor/ grantor or beneficiary, but only if such termination is specifically
  provided for in the trust document; and

. the following types of transactions, if together they do not exceed 12% of the
  value of an account annually (see the statement of additional information for
  more information about waivers regarding these types of transactions):

  -- redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement
     accounts upon reaching age 70 1/2 (required minimum distributions that
     continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is
     deceased also qualify for a waiver); and

  -- if you have established an automatic withdrawal plan, redemptions through
     such a plan (including any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken
     in cash).

To have your Class A, B or C contingent deferred sales charge waived, you must
let your adviser or American Funds Service Company know at the time you redeem
shares that you qualify for such a waiver.


                                       31

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs

Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, C or F shares through
an IRA rollover, subject to the other provisions of this prospectus. Rollovers
invested in Class A shares from retirement plans will be subject to applicable
sales charges. The following rollovers to Class A shares will be made without a
sales charge:

. rollovers to IRAs from 403(b) plans with Capital Bank and Trust Company as
  custodian; and

. rollovers to IRAs that are attributable to American Funds investments, if they
  meet the following requirements:

  -- the assets being rolled over were invested in American Funds at the time of
     distribution; and

  -- the rolled over assets are contributed to an American Funds IRA with Capital
     Bank and Trust Company as custodian.

IRA rollover assets that roll over without a sales charge as described above
will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and investment dealers
will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue
immediately. IRA rollover assets invested in Class A shares that are not
attributable to American Funds investments, as well as future contributions to
the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and the terms and conditions generally
applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and the
statement of additional information.

Plans of distribution

The fund has plans of distribution or "12b-1 plans" for certain share classes,
under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares,
provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund's board
of directors. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of
average daily net assets, of up to .25% for Class A shares; up to .50% for Class
529-A shares; up to 1.00% for Class B and 529-B shares; up to 1.00% for Class C
and 529-C shares; up to .75% for Class 529-E shares; and up to .50% for Class
F-1 and 529-F-1 shares. For all share classes indicated above, up to .25% of
these expenses may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for
providing certain shareholder services. The amount remaining for each share
class may be used for distribution expenses.

The 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets for the
previous fiscal year, are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table
under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus. Since these fees are
paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they will
increase the cost and reduce the return of your investment. The higher fees for
Class B and C shares may cost you more over time than paying the initial sales
charge for Class A shares.


                                       32

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Other compensation to dealers

American Funds Distributors, at its expense, currently provides additional
compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the
discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 100 dealers (or their
affiliates) that have sold shares of the American Funds. The level of payments
made to a qualifying firm in any given year will vary and in no case would
exceed the sum of (a) .10% of the previous year's American Funds sales by that
dealer and (b) .02% of American Funds assets attributable to that dealer. For
calendar year 2008, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to
dealers were less than .02% of the average assets of the American Funds.
Aggregate payments may also change from year to year. A number of factors will
be considered in determining payments, including the qualifying dealer's sales,
assets and redemption rates, and the quality of the dealer's relationship with
American Funds Distributors. American Funds Distributors makes these payments to
help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts
to educate financial advisers about the American Funds so that they can make
recommendations and provide services that are suitable and meet shareholder
needs. American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine the
advisability of continuing these payments. American Funds Distributors may also
pay expenses associated with meetings conducted by dealers outside the top 100
firms to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the
American Funds. If investment advisers, distributors or other affiliates of
mutual funds pay additional compensation or other incentives in differing
amounts, dealer firms and their advisers may have financial incentives for
recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. You should
consult with your financial adviser and review carefully any disclosure by your
financial adviser's firm as to compensation received.

How to sell shares

You may sell (redeem) shares in any of the following ways:

 THROUGH YOUR DEALER OR FINANCIAL ADVISER (CERTAIN CHARGES MAY APPLY)

. Shares held for you in your dealer's name must be sold through the dealer.

. Class F shares must be sold through your dealer or financial adviser.

 WRITING TO AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY

. Requests must be signed by the registered shareholder(s).

. A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is:

   -- more than $75,000;

   -- made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder(s); or

   -- sent to an address other than the address of record or to an address of
      record that has been changed within the last 10 days.


                                       33

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

. American Funds Service Company reserves the right to require signature
   guarantee(s) on any redemption.

. Additional documentation may be required for redemptions of shares held in
   corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts.

 TELEPHONING OR FAXING AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY OR USING THE INTERNET

. Redemptions by telephone, fax or the Internet (including American FundsLine
   and americanfunds.com) are limited to $75,000 per American Funds shareholder
   each day.

. Checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder.

. Checks must be mailed to an address of record that has been used with the
   account for at least 10 days.

If you recently purchased shares and subsequently request a redemption of those
shares, you will receive proceeds from the redemption once a sufficient period
of time has passed to reasonably ensure that checks or drafts (including
certified or cashier's checks) for the shares purchased have cleared (normally
10 business days).

TRANSACTIONS BY TELEPHONE, FAX OR THE INTERNET

Generally, you are automatically eligible to redeem or exchange shares by
telephone, fax or the Internet, unless you notify us in writing that you do not
want any or all of these services. You may reinstate these services at any time.

Unless you decide not to have telephone, fax or Internet services on your
account(s), you agree to hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of
its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, the fund's business
manager, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees
and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including
attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these
privileges, provided American Funds Service Company employs reasonable
procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with
appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not
employed, American Funds Service Company and/or the fund may be liable for
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.


                                       34

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Distributions and taxes

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The fund intends to distribute dividends to you, usually in March, June,
September and December.

Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. When a dividend or
capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the
amount of the payment.

You may elect to reinvest dividends and/or capital gain distributions to
purchase additional shares of this fund or other American Funds, or you may
elect to receive them in cash. Most shareholders do not elect to take capital
gain distributions in cash because these distributions reduce principal value.
Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes will be
automatically reinvested.

TAXES ON DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will be
subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state or local taxes --
unless you are exempt from taxation.

For federal tax purposes, dividends and distributions of short-term capital
gains are taxable as ordinary income. Some or all of your dividends may be
eligible for a reduced tax rate if you meet a holding period requirement. The
fund's distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term
capital gains. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the
fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you
reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.

TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS

Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for
federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the
difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the
amount you receive when you sell them.

SHAREHOLDER FEES

Fees borne directly by the fund normally have the effect of reducing a
shareholder's taxable income on distributions. By contrast, fees paid directly
to advisers by a fund shareholder for ongoing advice are deductible for income
tax purposes only to the extent that they (combined with certain other
qualifying expenses) exceed 2% of such shareholder's adjusted gross income.

PLEASE SEE YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR MORE INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF 529 SHARES SHOULD
REFER TO THE APPLICABLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SELLING 529 SHARES.


                                       35

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Financial highlights

The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's
results for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single share of a particular class. The total returns in the table
represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment
in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain
distributions). Where indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if
any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management
Company and Washington Management Corporation. For more information about these
reimbursements/waivers, see the statement of additional information and the
fund's annual report. The information in the Financial Highlights table has been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's
financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information,
which is available upon request.




                                  (LOSS) INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS/1/
                                                      Net
                                                    (losses)
                                                    gains on
                                                   securities
                       Net asset                     (both
                        value,         Net          realized      Total from
                       beginning   investment         and         investment
                        of year      income       unrealized)     operations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx         $xx.xx          $xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.55          .71          (2.68)          (1.97)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.66          .68           4.71            5.39
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.85          .66           3.20            3.86
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.79          .67           1.22            1.89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.33          .44          (2.67)          (2.23)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.47          .42           4.69            5.11
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.69          .42           3.17            3.59
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.64          .43           1.22            1.65
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.26          .42          (2.66)          (2.24)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.41          .39           4.68            5.07
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.64          .40           3.16            3.56
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.59          .41           1.22            1.63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx         $xx.xx          $xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.48          .70          (2.68)          (1.98)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.60          .67           4.70            5.37
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.80          .65           3.19            3.84
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.74          .64           1.22            1.86
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.51          .67          (2.66)          (1.99)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.63          .65           4.71            5.36
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.83          .64           3.19            3.83
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.76          .63           1.23            1.86
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.36          .39          (2.66)          (2.27)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.50          .38           4.68            5.06
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.72          .38           3.17            3.55
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.68          .38           1.21            1.59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.35          .39          (2.66)          (2.27)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.49          .38           4.69            5.07
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.71          .38           3.18            3.56
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.67          .37           1.22            1.59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)
 CLASS 529-E:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx         $xx.xx          $xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.39          .57          (2.66)          (2.09)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.52          .55           4.70            5.25
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.74          .54           3.17            3.71
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.69          .53           1.22            1.75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx          xx.xx           xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.47          .74          (2.66)          (1.92)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.59          .72           4.70            5.42
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.79          .70           3.18            3.88
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.74          .60           1.22            1.82




                                       36

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>




                              DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

                       Dividends                       Total      Net asset
                       (from net   Distributions     dividends     value,
                       investment      (from            and        end of         Total
                        income)    capital gains)  distributions    year       return/2/,/3/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx        $xx.xx          $xx.xx       $xx.xx        x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.72)        (1.94)          (2.66)       31.92        (5.78)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.66)         (.84)          (1.50)       36.55        16.85
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.62)         (.43)          (1.05)       32.66        13.11
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.60)         (.23)           (.83)       29.85         6.55
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.45)        (1.94)          (2.39)       31.71        (6.51)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.41)         (.84)          (1.25)       36.33        15.98
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.38)         (.43)           (.81)       32.47        12.24
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.37)         (.23)           (.60)       29.69         5.75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.43)        (1.94)          (2.37)       31.65        (6.54)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.38)         (.84)          (1.22)       36.26        15.91
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.36)         (.43)           (.79)       32.41        12.15
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.35)         (.23)           (.58)       29.64         5.69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx        $xx.xx          $xx.xx       $xx.xx        x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.71)        (1.94)          (2.65)       31.85        (5.82)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.65)         (.84)          (1.49)       36.48        16.83
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.61)         (.43)          (1.04)       32.60        13.06
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.57)         (.23)           (.80)       29.80         6.47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.69)        (1.94)          (2.63)       31.89        (5.85)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.64)         (.84)          (1.48)       36.51        16.75
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.60)         (.43)          (1.03)       32.63        13.01
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.56)         (.23)           (.79)       29.83         6.47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.41)        (1.94)          (2.35)       31.74        (6.62)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.36)         (.84)          (1.20)       36.36        15.82
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.34)         (.43)           (.77)       32.50        12.07
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.32)         (.23)           (.55)       29.72         5.52
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.41)        (1.94)          (2.35)       31.73        (6.62)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.37)         (.84)          (1.21)       36.35        15.84
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.35)         (.43)           (.78)       32.49        12.10
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.32)         (.23)           (.55)       29.71         5.54
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)
 CLASS 529-E:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx        $xx.xx          $xx.xx       $xx.xx        x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.59)        (1.94)          (2.53)       31.77        (6.14)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.54)         (.84)          (1.38)       36.39        16.44
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.50)         (.43)           (.93)       32.52        12.64
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.47)         (.23)           (.70)       29.74         6.09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx         xx.xx           xx.xx        xx.xx         x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008     (.76)        (1.94)          (2.70)       31.85        (5.65)
 Year ended 4/30/2007     (.70)         (.84)          (1.54)       36.47        17.01
 Year ended 4/30/2006     (.65)         (.43)          (1.08)       32.59        13.20
 Year ended 4/30/2005     (.54)         (.23)           (.77)       29.79         6.35



                                       37

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>




                                       Ratio of     Ratio of
                                       expenses     expenses
                                      to average   to average
                                      net assets   net assets
                        Net assets,     before        after      Ratio of net
                          end of         reim-        reim-         income
                           year       bursements/  bursements/    to average
                       (in millions)    waivers    waivers/3/    net assets/3/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009     $xx.xx         x.xx%        x.xx%          x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008     60,782           .60          .58           2.02
 Year ended 4/30/2007     70,811           .60          .57           2.00
 Year ended 4/30/2006     64,202           .60          .57           2.13
 Year ended 4/30/2005     61,185           .61          .60           2.24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008      2,726          1.36         1.33           1.27
 Year ended 4/30/2007      3,296          1.36         1.33           1.24
 Year ended 4/30/2006      3,053          1.37         1.34           1.37
 Year ended 4/30/2005      2,902          1.38         1.37           1.47
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008      2,979          1.41         1.38           1.22
 Year ended 4/30/2007      3,481          1.42         1.40           1.17
 Year ended 4/30/2006      3,113          1.43         1.41           1.30
 Year ended 4/30/2005      2,991          1.46         1.45           1.39
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009     $xx.xx         x.xx%        x.xx%          x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008      2,947           .63          .61           1.99
 Year ended 4/30/2007      3,179           .62          .59           1.97
 Year ended 4/30/2006      2,646           .63          .61           2.10
 Year ended 4/30/2005      2,505           .69          .68           2.15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-A:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008      1,089           .69          .66           1.93
 Year ended 4/30/2007      1,094           .67          .65           1.91
 Year ended 4/30/2006        833           .68          .65           2.05
 Year ended 4/30/2005        633           .71          .70           2.12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-B:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008        204          1.49         1.46           1.13
 Year ended 4/30/2007        218          1.48         1.46           1.11
 Year ended 4/30/2006        180          1.51         1.48           1.22
 Year ended 4/30/2005        148          1.58         1.57           1.26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-C:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008        361          1.49         1.46           1.13
 Year ended 4/30/2007        374          1.48         1.45           1.11
 Year ended 4/30/2006        295          1.50         1.47           1.23
 Year ended 4/30/2005        226          1.57         1.56           1.27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)
 CLASS 529-E:
 Year ended 4/30/2009     $xx.xx         x.xx%        x.xx%          x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008         60           .98          .95           1.64
 Year ended 4/30/2007         61           .97          .94           1.62
 Year ended 4/30/2006         46           .98          .96           1.74
 Year ended 4/30/2005         35          1.05         1.04           1.79
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-F-1:
 Year ended 4/30/2009      xx.xx          x.xx         x.xx           x.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008         52           .48          .45           2.14
 Year ended 4/30/2007         47           .47          .44           2.11
 Year ended 4/30/2006         32           .49          .46           2.24
 Year ended 4/30/2005         21           .80          .79           2.03







                                         YEAR ENDED APRIL 30
                          2009       2008       2007       2006        2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE FOR ALL CLASSES       xx%        18%        19%        13%         16%
OF SHARES



1   Based on average shares outstanding.
2   Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent
    deferred sales charges.
3   This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers
    from Capital Research and Management Company and Washington Management
    Corporation. During some of the years shown, Capital Research and Management
    Company and Washington Management Corporation reduced fees for investment
    advisory and business management services.



                                       38

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

NOTES


                                       39

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>


[logo - American Funds /(R)/]                     The right choice for the long term/(R)/





 FOR SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                    American Funds Service Company
                                             800/421-0180

 FOR RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES                Call your employer or plan administrator

 FOR ADVISER MARKETING                       American Funds Distributors
                                             800/421-9900

 FOR 529 PLANS                               American Funds Service Company
                                             800 /421-0180, ext. 529

                                             American FundsLine
 FOR 24-HOUR INFORMATION                     800/325-3590
                                             americanfunds.com


 Telephone calls you have with the American Funds organization may be monitored
 or recorded for quality assurance, verification and/or recordkeeping purposes.
 By speaking with us on the telephone, you are giving your consent to such
 monitoring and recording.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS  This prospectus may be translated into other languages.
If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity in the meaning of any translated word
or phrase, the English text will prevail.

ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  The shareholder reports contain
additional information about the fund, including financial statements,
investment results, portfolio holdings, a discussion of market conditions and
the fund's investment strategies and the independent registered public
accounting firm's report (in the annual report).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION  The program description for the CollegeAmerica/(R)/ 529
program contains additional information about the policies and services related
to 529 plan accounts.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) AND CODES OF ETHICS  The current SAI,
as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information about the fund,
including the fund's financial statements, and is incorporated by reference into
this prospectus. This means that the current SAI, for legal purposes, is part of
this prospectus. The codes of ethics describe the personal investing policies
adopted by the fund, the fund's business manager, the fund's investment adviser
and its affiliated companies.

The codes of ethics and current SAI are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). These and other related materials about the fund are available
for review or to be copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
D.C. (202/551-8090) or on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov or,
after payment of a duplicating fee, via e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or
by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington,
D.C. 20549-1520. The codes of ethics, current SAI and shareholder reports are
also available, free of charge, on americanfunds.com.

E-DELIVERY AND HOUSEHOLD MAILINGS  Each year you are automatically sent an
updated prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the fund. You may also
occasionally receive proxy statements for the fund. In order to reduce the
volume of mail you receive, when possible, only one copy of these documents will
be sent to shareholders who are part of the same family and share the same
household address. You may elect to receive these documents electronically in
lieu of paper form by enrolling in e-delivery on our website, americanfunds.com.

If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a
complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics, annual/semi-annual
report to shareholders or applicable program description, please call American
Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or write to the secretary of the fund at
1101 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION (SIPC)  Shareholders may obtain
information about SIPC/(R)/ on its website at sipc.org or by calling
202/371-8300.



                                                                                       Investment Company File No. 811-00604
                                                                                  MFGEPR-901-0709P Litho in USA CGD/RRD/8023
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES
American Funds     Capital Research and Management    Capital International       Capital Guardian     Capital Bank and Trust

<PAGE>




[logo - American Funds /(R)/]               The right choice for the long term/(R)/




Washington Mutual Investors Fund/SM/





PROSPECTUS
ADDENDUM





July 1, 2009









THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF
THESE SECURITIES. FURTHER, IT HAS NOT DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS
ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.



<PAGE>

Class R-5 shares of Washington Mutual Investors Fund are available to certain
clients of the Personal Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust
Company./SM/ Accordingly, for these shareholders, the following information
should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for this fund.

Fees and expenses of the fund -- pages X-X

These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.



 SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
                                                               CLASS R-5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Maximum initial sales charge (load) imposed on purchases         none
 (as a percentage of offering price)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load)                  none
 (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends      none
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees                                      none






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
                                                  CLASS R-5
--------------------------------------------------------------

 Management fees                                    x.xx%
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees           none
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses                                     x.xx
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund operating expenses               x.xx








<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of
your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gain
distributions are reinvested, 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:



                         1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
-------------------------------------------------------------

 Class R-5               $x.xx    $x.xx    $x.xx     $x.xx
-------------------------------------------------------------



Investment results -- pages X-X



 INVESTMENT RESULTS
 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008:
                                       1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME/*/
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02
 Before taxes                          4.21%   12.19%       7.19%


* Lifetime results are measured from the date the share class was first sold.




Purchase, exchange and sale of shares -- pages XX-XX

PURCHASE OF CLASS R-5 SHARES

Class R-5 shares of the fund are available to certain clients of the Personal
Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust Company. Please contact
Capital Guardian Trust Company if you wish to purchase Class R-5 shares of the
fund.

Sales charges -- pages XX-XX

CLASS R-5 SHARES

Class R-5 shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales
charge. In addition, no compensation is paid to investment dealers on sales of
Class R-5 shares.



<PAGE>



Financial highlights -- pages XX-XX

The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's
results for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single share. The total returns in the table represent the rate
that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund
(assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions). Where
indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if any, of certain
reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more
information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the statement of additional
information and the fund's annual report. The information in the Financial
Highlights table has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report,
along with the fund's financial statements, is included in the statement of
additional information, which is available upon request.




                                  (LOSS) INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS/1/         DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                      Net
                                                    (losses)
                                                    gains on
                                                   securities
                       Net asset                     (both                      Dividends   Distributions      Total
                        value,         Net          realized      Total from    (from net       (from        dividends
                       beginning   investment         and         investment    investment     capital          and
                        of year      income       unrealized)     operations     income)       gains)      distributions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLASS R-5:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx         $xx.xx          $xx.xx       $xx.xx        $xx.xx         $xx.xx
 Year ended 4/30/2008    36.55          .78          (2.67)          (1.89)        (.80)        (1.94)          2.74)
 Year ended 4/30/2007    32.65          .76           4.72            5.48         (.74)         (.84)         (1.58)
 Year ended 4/30/2006    29.85          .73           3.19            3.92         (.69)         (.43)         (1.12)
 Year ended 4/30/2005    28.79          .73           1.22            1.95         (.66)         (.23)          (.89)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                             Ratio of     Ratio of
                                                             expenses     expenses
                                                            to average   to average    Ratio of
                                                            net assets   net assets       net
                       Net asset              Net assets,     before        after      income to
                        value,                  end of         reim-        reim-       average
                        end of      Total        year       bursements/  bursements/      net
                         year     return/2/  (in millions)    waivers    waivers/2/    assets/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLASS R-5:
 Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx     x.xx%        $xx.xx          x.xx%        x.xx%        x.xx%
 Year ended 4/30/2008    31.92     (5.57)        1,319           .37          .35         2.24
 Year ended 4/30/2007    36.55     17.15         1,154           .37          .35         2.22
 Year ended 4/30/2006    32.65     13.34           883           .38          .35         2.34
 Year ended 4/30/2005    29.85      6.78           619           .38          .37         2.45
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------







                                           YEAR ENDED APRIL 30
                           2009        2008        2007        2006         2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE FOR ALL CLASSES       xx%         18%         19%         13%          16%
OF SHARES



1   Based on average shares outstanding.
2   This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers
    from Capital Research and Management Company and Washington Management
    Corporation. During some of the years shown, Capital Research and Management
    Company and Washington Management Corporation reduced fees for investment
    advisory and business management services.




      
    

 
<PAGE>





[logo - American Funds /(R)/]             The right choice for the long term/(R)/




Washington Mutual
Investors Fund/SM/






 CLASS A SHARES       AWSHX       CLASS R-4 SHARES      RWMEX
 CLASS R-1 SHARES     RWMAX       CLASS R-5 SHARES      RWMFX
 CLASS R-2 SHARES     RWMBX       CLASS R-6 SHARES
 CLASS R-3 SHARES     RWMCX





RETIREMENT PLAN
PROSPECTUS





July 1, 2009






TABLE OF CONTENTS

X    Investment objective
X    Fees and expenses of the fund
X    Portfolio turnover
X    Principal investment strategies
X    Principal risks
X    Investment results
X    Investment adviser
X    Purchase and sale of fund shares
X    Tax information
X    Payments to broker-dealers and other financial
     intermediaries
X    Investment objective, strategies and risks
X    Additional investment results
X    Management and organization
X    Purchase, exchange and sale of shares
X    Sales charges
X    Sales charge reductions
X    Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs
X    Plans of distribution
X    Other compensation to dealers
X    Distributions and taxes
X    Financial highlights




THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF
THESE SECURITIES. FURTHER, IT HAS NOT DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS
ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.



<PAGE>

[This page is intentionally left blank for this filing.]

<PAGE>

Investment objective

The fund's investment objective is to produce income and to provide an
opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock
investing.

Fees and expenses of the fund

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 and your
family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the
American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available
from your financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions" section on
page 21 of the fund's prospectus, and on page 49 of the fund's statement of
additional information.




 SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
                                                 CLASS A   ALL R SHARE CLASSES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on            5.75%          none
 purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a        none           none
 percentage of the amount redeemed)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on            none           none
 reinvested dividends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees                       none           none






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT YOU PAY EACH YEAR AS A
 PERCENTAGE OF THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT)

                                   CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS    CLASS
                          CLASS A   R-1   R-2    R-3    R-4    R-5      R-6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Management fees           x.xx%   x.xx%  x.xx%  x.xx%  x.xx%  x.xx%   x.xx%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or       x.xx    x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx    x.xx
 service (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses            x.xx    x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx    x.xx/1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund         x.xx    x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx   x.xx    x.xx/1/
 operating expenses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                       1

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all
dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, that you pay the
maximum initial or contingent deferred sales charge, and that the fund's
operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions, your cumulative estimated expenses would be:




                                1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------------------------------

 Class A                         $xxx    $xxx     $xxx       $xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-1                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-2                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-3                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-4                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-5                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-6                        xxx     xxx      xxx        xxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------



1   Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.


                                       2

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover 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 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 X% of
the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of larger, more established
companies that are listed on, or meet the financial listing requirements of, the
New York Stock Exchange and have a strong record of earnings and dividends.

Principal risks

YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS MAY BE
GREATER IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.

The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may
decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including
those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund;
conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local,
regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency,
interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Your 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, entity or person.


                                       3

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment results

The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the Investment Results table on page 5 shows how the fund's
average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad
measures of market performance. This information provides some indication of the
risks of investing in the fund. All fund results reflect the reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Unless otherwise noted, fund
results reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during
the period presented. Past results are not predictive of future results.


CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included,
results would be lower.)

[begin bar chart]
1999          1.16
2000          9.06
2001          1.51
2002        -14.85
2003         25.82
2004          9.92
2005          3.55
2006         18.04
2007          3.97
2008        -33.10
[end bar chart]


Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were:




HIGHEST            15.94%  (quarter ended June 30, 2003)
LOWEST            -20.22%  (quarter ended December 31, 2008)



The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2009, was x.xx%.


Updated information on the fund's results can be obtained by visiting
americanfunds.com.


                                       4

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>



 INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITH A MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE)
 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008:
                                 1 YEAR   5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 7/31/52   -36.95%  -2.51%    0.55%      11.50%




                                  1 YEAR   5 YEARS   LIFETIME
--------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 5/29/02  -33.64%  -2.18%     -1.04%
 CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/31/02  -33.67   -2.17      -1.00
 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02   -33.32   -1.70      -0.19
 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02  -33.16   -1.42      -0.41
 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02  -32.96   -1.13      -0.14




                            1 YEAR     5 YEARS     10 YEARS      LIFETIME/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 INDEXES/1/
 S&P 500                   -36.99%      -2.19%      -1.38%          10.16%
 Lipper Growth & Income    -37.54       -2.12       -0.24             N/A
 Funds Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A annualized 30-day yield at April 30, 2009: x.xx%
(For current yield information, please call American FundsLine/(R)/ at 800/325-3590.)



1   The S&P 500 reflects the market sectors in which the fund primarily invests.
    The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other mutual funds
    which disclose investment objectives that are reasonably comparable to those of
    the fund. See pages 10 of this prospectus for more information on the indexes
    listed above.
2   Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A
    shares were first sold.


                                       5

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment adviser

Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser to the
fund. Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple
portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets. The primary individual
portfolio counselors for Washington Mutual Investors Fund are:





                           PORTFOLIO
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/      COUNSELOR       PRIMARY TITLE WITH
 FUND TITLE               EXPERIENCE       INVESTMENT ADVISER
 (IF APPLICABLE)         IN THIS FUND      (OR AFFILIATE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ALAN N. BERRO             11 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES K. DUNTON           31 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           Research Global Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GREGORY D. JOHNSON         8 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ROBERT G. O'DONNELL       16 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES F. ROTHENBERG       10 years        Chairman of the Board, Capital
                                           Research and Management Company

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW           4 years        Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EUGENE P. STEIN            1 year         Senior Vice President - Capital
                                           World Investors
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                       6

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Purchase and sale of fund shares

Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or
R shares by contacting any investment dealer (who may impose transaction charges
in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund's
shares.

Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell shares
from your retirement plan.

Tax information

Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement
plan accounts are not taxable currently.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the
intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments
may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other
intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment.
Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more
information.


                                       7

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Investment objective, strategies and risks

The fund's investment objective is to produce income and to provide an
opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock
investing. The fund strives to accomplish this objective through fundamental
research, careful selection and broad diversification. In the selection of
securities for investment, current and potential yield as well as the potential
for long-term capital appreciation are considered. The fund strives in its
overall portfolio to achieve an above-average yield in relation to Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Index (a broad, unmanaged index).

The fund has stringent Investment Standards based upon criteria originally
adopted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and in
effect for many years for determining eligibility under the Court's Legal List
procedure for the investment of trust funds. Applying these Investment
Standards, the fund's investment adviser compiles an "Eligible List" of
investments considered appropriate for a prudent investor seeking opportunities
for income and growth of principal consistent with common stock investing. The
investment adviser is required to select the fund's investments exclusively from
the Eligible List. The investment adviser monitors the Eligible List and makes
recommendations to the board of directors regading changes necessary for
continued compliance with the fund's Investment Standards.

The fund is designed to provide fiduciaries, organizations, institutions and
individuals with a convenient and prudent medium of investment in high-quality
common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. It is especially
designed to serve those individuals who are charged with the responsibility of
investing retirement plan trusts, other fiduciary-type reserves or family funds,
but who are reluctant to undertake the selection and supervision of individual
stocks.

The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may
decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including
those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund;
conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local,
regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency,
interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

The fund's policy is to maintain at all times for its shareholders a fully
invested and widely diversified portfolio of securities; however, the fund may
hold, to a limited extent, short-term U.S. government securities, other money
market instruments, cash and cash equivalents.


                                       8

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

In addition to the principal investment strategies described above, the fund has
other investment practices that are described in the statement of additional
information.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.


                                       9

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Additional investment results

Unlike the Investment Results table on page 5, the table below reflects the
fund's results calculated without a sales charge.


 ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE)
 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008:
                                 1 YEAR   5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 7/31/52   -33.10%  -1.35%    1.15%      11.61%




                                  1 YEAR   5 YEARS   LIFETIME
--------------------------------------------------------------

 CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 5/29/02  -33.64%  -2.18%     -1.04%
 CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/31/02  -33.67   -2.17      -1.00
 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02   -33.32   -1.70      -0.19
 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02  -33.16   -1.42      -0.41
 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02  -32.96   -1.13      -0.14






                          1 YEAR       5 YEARS      10 YEARS       LIFETIME/2/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 INDEXES/1/
 S&P 500                  -36.99%      -2.19%        -1.38%          10.16%
 Lipper Growth &          -37.54       -2.12         -0.24             N/A
 Income Funds Index
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A distribution rate at December 31, 2008: 3.29%/3/
(For current distribution rate information, please call American FundsLine at 800/325-3590.)




1   The S&P 500 reflects the market sectors in which the fund primarily invests.
    The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other mutual funds
    which disclose investment objectives that are reasonably comparable to those of
    the fund.
2   Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A
    shares were first sold.
3   The distribution rate is based on actual dividends paid to Class A
    shareholders over a 12-month period. Capital gain distributions, if any, are
    added back to net asset value to determine the rate.


The investment results tables above and on page 5 show how the fund's average
annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market performance.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted
index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common
stocks. This index is unmanaged and its results include reinvested dividends
and/or distributions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges,
commissions, expenses or taxes. The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index is an
equally weighted index of funds that combine a growth-of-earnings orientation
and an income requirement for level and/or rising dividends. The results of the
underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for
portfolio transactions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges or taxes.



                                       10

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Management and organization

BUSINESS MANAGER

Washington Management Corporation or its predecessors, since the fund's
inception, has provided the services necessary to carry on the fund's general
administrative and corporate affairs. These services encompass matters relating
to general corporate governance, regulatory compliance and monitoring of the
fund's contractual service providers, including custodian operations,
shareholder services and fund share distribution functions. Washington
Management Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Johnston-Lemon Group,
Incorporated, maintains its principal business address at 1101 Vermont Avenue,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20005.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management
organization founded in 1931, serves as investment adviser to the fund and other
funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is
a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at
333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, and 6455 Irvine Center
Drive, Irvine, California 92618. Capital Research and Management Company manages
the investment portfolio of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund,
as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year appears in
the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund."
A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund's investment
advisory agreement by the fund's board of directors is contained in the fund's
semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2008.

Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through two
investment divisions, Capital World Investors and Capital Research Global
Investors, and manages fixed-income assets through its Fixed Income division.
Capital World Investors and Capital Research Global Investors make investment
decisions on an independent basis.

Rather than remain as investment divisions, Capital World Investors and Capital
Research Global Investors may be incorporated into wholly owned subsidiaries of
Capital Research and Management Company. In that event, Capital Research and
Management Company would continue to be the investment adviser, and day-to-day
investment management of equity assets would continue to be carried out through
one or both of these subsidiaries. Capital Research and Management Company and
the funds it advises have applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission for
an exemptive order that would give Capital Research and Management Company the
authority to use, upon approval of the funds' boards, its management
subsidiaries and affiliates to provide day-to-day investment management services
to the funds, including making changes to the management subsidiaries and
affiliates providing such services. Approval by the funds' shareholders would be
required before any authority granted under an exemptive order could be


                                       11

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

exercised. There is no assurance that Capital Research and Management Company
will incorporate its investment divisions or seek a shareholder vote to exercise
any authority, if granted, under an exemptive order.

EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's
portfolio transactions. In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser
strives to obtain "best execution" (the most favorable total price reasonably
attainable under the circumstances) for the fund's portfolio transactions,
taking into account a variety of factors. Subject to best execution, the
investment adviser may consider investment research and/or brokerage services
provided to the adviser in placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions.
The investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions
with broker-dealers who have sold shares of funds managed by the investment
adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not give consideration to
whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment
adviser or its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund's
portfolio transactions. A more detailed description of the investment adviser's
policies is included in the fund's statement of additional information.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds
website at americanfunds.com. To reach this information, access the fund's
detailed information page on the website. A list of the fund's top 10 equity
holdings, updated as of each month-end, is generally posted to this page within
14 days after the end of the applicable month. A link to the fund's complete
list of publicly disclosed portfolio holdings, updated as of each calendar
quarter-end, is generally posted to this page within 45 days after the end of
the applicable quarter. Both lists remain available on the website until new
information for the next month or quarter is posted. Portfolio holdings
information for the fund is also contained in reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

A description of the fund's policies and procedures regarding disclosure of
information about its portfolio holdings is available in the statement of
additional information.

MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM

Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio
counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of
a fund is divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how
their respective segments will be invested. In addition, Capital Research and
Management Company's investment analysts may make investment decisions with
respect to a portion of a fund's portfolio. Investment decisions are subject to
a fund's objective(s), policies and restrictions and the oversight of the
appropriate investment-related committees of Capital Research and Management
Company and its investment divisions. The table below shows the investment
experience and role in management of the fund for each of the primary individual
portfolio counselors for the fund.


                                       12

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>




                                                                   ROLE IN
                       INVESTMENT                 EXPERIENCE       MANAGEMENT
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   EXPERIENCE                IN THIS FUND      OF THE FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ALAN N. BERRO         Investment                  11 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 23     (plus 6 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years in total;         prior experience
                       18 years with Capital        as an
                       Research and           investment analyst
                       Management Company or    for the fund)
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES K. DUNTON       Investment                  31 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 47     (plus 7 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GREGORY D. JOHNSON    Investment                  8 years         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 16     (plus 7 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ROBERT G. O'DONNELL   Investment                  16 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 37    (plus 17 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years in total;         prior experience
                       34 years with Capital        as an
                       Research and           investment analyst
                       Management Company or    for the fund)
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES F. ROTHENBERG   Investment                  10 years        Serves as an equity
                       professional for 39     (plus 9 years of    portfolio counselor
                       years, all with         prior experience
                       Capital Research and         as an
                       Management Company or  investment analyst
                       affiliate                for the fund)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                       13

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>



                                                                   ROLE IN
                       INVESTMENT                 EXPERIENCE       MANAGEMENT
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   EXPERIENCE                IN THIS FUND      OF THE FUND
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RONALD B. MORROW      Investment                  4 years         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 41                         portfolio counselor
                       years in total;
                       12 years with Capital
                       Research and
                       Management Company or
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EUGENE P. STEIN       Investment                   1 year         Serves as an equity
                       professional for 38                         portfolio counselor
                       years in total;
                       37 years with Capital
                       Research and
                       Management Company or
                       affiliate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Information regarding the portfolio counselors' compensation, their ownership of
securities in the fund and other accounts they manage can be found in the
statement of additional information.

CERTAIN PRIVILEGES AND/OR SERVICES DESCRIBED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES OF THIS
PROSPECTUS AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE
TO YOU, DEPENDING ON YOUR INVESTMENT DEALER OR RETIREMENT PLAN RECORDKEEPER.
PLEASE SEE YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER, INVESTMENT DEALER OR RETIREMENT PLAN
RECORDKEEPER FOR MORE INFORMATION.


                                       14

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Purchase, exchange and sale of shares

AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY, THE FUND'S TRANSFER AGENT, ON BEHALF OF THE FUND
AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS,/(R)/ THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTOR, IS REQUIRED BY
LAW TO OBTAIN CERTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON(S)
ACTING ON YOUR BEHALF IN ORDER TO VERIFY YOUR OR SUCH PERSON'S IDENTITY. IF YOU
DO NOT PROVIDE THE INFORMATION, THE TRANSFER AGENT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN YOUR
ACCOUNT. IF THE TRANSFER AGENT IS UNABLE TO VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY OR THAT OF ANY
OTHER PERSON(S) AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF, OR BELIEVES IT HAS IDENTIFIED
POTENTIALLY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, THE FUND AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS RESERVE
THE RIGHT TO CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT OR TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTION THEY DEEM REASONABLE
OR REQUIRED BY LAW.

PURCHASES AND EXCHANGES

Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or
R shares by contacting any investment dealer (who may impose transaction charges
in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund's
shares. Some or all R share classes may not be available through certain
investment dealers. Additional shares may be purchased through a plan's
administrator or recordkeeper.

Class A shares are generally not available for retirement plans using the
PlanPremier or Recordkeeper Direct recordkeeping programs.

Class R shares generally are available only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, 403(b)
plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans
and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Class R shares also are generally
available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held
on the books of the fund. Class R-5 and R-6 shares are generally available only
to fee-based programs or through retirement plan intermediaries. In addition,
Class R-6 shares are available for investment by American Funds Target Date
Retirement Series/(R)/ and Class R-5 shares are available to other registered
investment companies approved by the fund. Class R shares generally are not
available to retail nonretirement accounts, traditional and Roth individual
retirement accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs,
SIMPLE IRAs and 529 college savings plans.

Shares of the fund offered through this prospectus generally may be exchanged
into shares of the same class of other American Funds. Exchanges of Class A
shares from American Funds money market funds purchased without a sales charge
generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge.


                                       15

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

FREQUENT TRADING OF FUND SHARES

The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any
purchase order for any reason. The fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle
for frequent trading. Frequent trading of fund shares may lead to increased
costs to the fund and less efficient management of the fund's portfolio,
potentially resulting in dilution of the value of the shares held by long-term
shareholders. Accordingly, purchases, including those that are part of exchange
activity that the fund or American Funds Distributors has determined could
involve actual or potential harm to the fund, may be rejected.

The fund, through its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, maintains
surveillance procedures that are designed to detect frequent trading in fund
shares. Under these procedures, various analytics are used to evaluate factors
that may be indicative of frequent trading. For example, transactions in fund
shares that exceed certain monetary thresholds may be scrutinized. American
Funds Service Company also may review transactions that occur close in time to
other transactions in the same account or in multiple accounts under common
ownership or influence. Trading activity that is identified through these
procedures or as a result of any other information available to the fund will be
evaluated to determine whether such activity might constitute frequent trading.
These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the
detection of frequent trading, to facilitate monitoring for frequent trading in
particular retirement plans or other accounts, and to comply with applicable
laws.

In addition to the fund's broad ability to restrict potentially harmful trading
as described above, the fund's board of directors has adopted a "purchase
blocking policy" under which any shareholder redeeming shares having a value of
$5,000 or more from the fund will be precluded from investing in the fund for 30
calendar days after the redemption transaction. This policy also applies to
redemptions and purchases that are part of exchange transactions. Under the
fund's purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and
certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as systematic
redemptions and purchases, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account
is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase;
purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000;
transactions in Class 529 shares; purchases and redemptions resulting from
reallocations by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series; retirement plan
contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals)
identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper's system; and purchase
transactions involving transfers of assets, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and
IRA recharacterizations, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is
able to identify the transaction as one of these types of transactions.

The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy with respect
to specific shareholder accounts in those instances where American Funds Service
Company determines that its surveillance procedures are adequate to detect
frequent trading in fund shares.


                                       16

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

American Funds Service Company will work with certain intermediaries (such as
investment dealers holding shareholder accounts in street name, retirement plan
recordkeepers, insurance company separate accounts and bank trust companies) to
apply their own procedures, provided that American Funds Service Company
believes the intermediary's procedures are reasonably designed to enforce the
frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided
by the intermediaries with which you have an account to determine the specific
trading restrictions that apply to you.

If American Funds Service Company identifies any activity that may constitute
frequent trading, it reserves the right to contact the intermediary and request
that the intermediary either provide information regarding an account owner's
transactions or restrict the account owner's trading. If American Funds Service
Company is not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action,
American Funds Service Company may terminate the intermediary's ability to
transact in fund shares.

There is no guarantee that all instances of frequent trading in fund shares will
be prevented.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE FUND'S SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES AND PURCHASE BLOCKING POLICY,
ALL TRANSACTIONS IN FUND SHARES REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE FUNDS AND
AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS TO RESTRICT POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE TRADING GENERALLY
(INCLUDING THE TYPES OF TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE THAT WILL NOT BE PREVENTED
OR TRIGGER A BLOCK UNDER THE PURCHASE BLOCKING POLICY). SEE THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE
COMPANY MAY ADDRESS OTHER POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE TRADING ACTIVITY IN THE AMERICAN
FUNDS.

VALUING SHARES

The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single
share. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, the
normal close of regular trading. Assets are valued primarily on the basis of
market quotations. However, the fund has adopted procedures for making "fair
value" determinations if market quotations are not readily available or are not
considered reliable. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more
appropriate net asset values.

Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales
charge in the case of Class A shares), or sold at the net asset value next
determined after American Funds Service Company receives your request provided
your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to
process the transaction.

MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES AND ACCOUNTS

Please see the statement of additional information for details and limitations
on moving investments in certain share classes to different share classes and on
moving investments held in certain accounts to different accounts.


                                       17

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

OTHER EXPENSES

The "Other expenses" items in the table on page 1 include custodial, legal,
transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments, as well as various
other expenses. Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to the
fund's investment adviser, affiliates of the adviser and unaffiliated third
parties for providing recordkeeping and other administrative services to
retirement plans invested in the fund in lieu of the transfer agent providing
such services. The amount paid for subtransfer agent/recordkeeping services will
vary depending on the share class selected and the entity receiving the
payments. The table below shows the maximum payments to entities providing
services to retirement plans.



                                                   PAYMENTS TO UNAFFILIATED
             PAYMENTS TO AFFILIATED ENTITIES               ENTITIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Class A            .05% of assets or                  .05% of assets or
             $12 per participant position/1/    $12 per participant position/1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-1           .10% of assets                     .10% of assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-2     .15% of assets plus $27 per              .25% of assets
             participant position/2/ or .35%
                      of assets/3/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-3     .10% of assets plus $12 per              .15% of assets
             participant position/2/ or .19%
                      of assets/3/
 Class R-4           .10% of assets                     .10% of assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-5           .05% of assets                     .05% of assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class R-6                none                               none
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1 Payment amount depends on the date upon which services commenced.
2 Payment with respect to Recordkeeper Direct/(R)/ program.
3 Payment with respect to PlanPremier/(R)/ program.


                                       18

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Sales charges

CLASS A SHARES

The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class A shares differs
depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger
purchases as indicated below. Any applicable sales charge will be deducted
directly from your investment.




                                       SALES CHARGE AS A
                                         PERCENTAGE OF:
                                                                 DEALER
                                                   NET         COMMISSION
                                       OFFERING   AMOUNT     AS A PERCENTAGE
 INVESTMENT                             PRICE    INVESTED   OF OFFERING PRICE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Less than $25,000                      5.75%     6.10%           5.00%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $25,000 but less than $50,000          5.00      5.26            4.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $50,000 but less than $100,000         4.50      4.71            3.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $100,000 but less than $250,000        3.50      3.63            2.75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $250,000 but less than $500,000        2.50      2.56            2.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $500,000 but less than $750,000        2.00      2.04            1.60
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $750,000 but less than $1 million      1.50      1.52            1.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $1 million or more and certain other   none      none      see below
 investments described below
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net
amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the
table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales
charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased
from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using
standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of
the investment and the net asset value of the shares.

CLASS A PURCHASES NOT SUBJECT TO SALES CHARGES

The following investments are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred
sales charge if American Funds Service Company is properly notified of the
nature of the investment:

. investments made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based
  programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of your
  investment dealer's load-waived Class A share program with the American Funds;
  and

. certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see "Rollovers
  from retirement plans to IRAs" in this prospectus for more information).

The distributor may pay dealers up to 1% on investments made in Class A shares
with no initial sales charge. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these
payments through its plans of distribution (see "Plans of distribution" in this
prospectus).


                                       19

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>


Certain other investors may qualify to purchase shares without a sales charge,
such as employees of investment dealers and registered investment advisers
authorized to sell American Funds and employees of The Capital Group Companies,
Inc. Please see the statement of additional information for more information.


 EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS

 Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are eligible to purchase Class R
 shares may instead purchase Class A shares and pay the applicable Class A sales
 charge, provided their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan
 investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1
 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without
 a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention
 that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More
 information about statements of intention can be found under "Sales charge
 reductions" in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales
 charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales
 charge table in this prospectus.

 Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any
 sales charge on or before March 31, 2004, and that continue to meet the
 eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A
 shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase Class A shares without any
 initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

 A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares, unless such plan was
 invested in Class A or C shares prior to January 1, 2009.

CLASS R SHARES

Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
The distributor will pay dealers annually an asset-based compensation of up to
1.00% for sales of Class R-1 shares, up to .75% for Class R-2 shares, up to .50%
for Class R-3 shares and up to .25% for Class R-4 shares. No dealer compensation
is paid from fund assets on sales of Class R-5 or R-6 shares. The fund may
reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution
(see "Plans of distribution" in this prospectus).


                                       20

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Sales charge reductions

TO RECEIVE A REDUCTION IN YOUR CLASS A INITIAL SALES CHARGE, YOU MUST LET YOUR
FINANCIAL ADVISER OR AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY KNOW AT THE TIME YOU
PURCHASE SHARES THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR SUCH A REDUCTION. IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR
ADVISER OR AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY KNOW THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A
REDUCTION, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE A SALES CHARGE DISCOUNT TO WHICH YOU ARE
OTHERWISE ENTITLED. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales
charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your adviser or American
Funds Service Company with information and records (including account
statements) of all relevant accounts invested in the American Funds.

IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS, YOU MAY OBTAIN MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE CLASSES, SALES CHARGES AND SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS
THROUGH A LINK ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE AMERICAN FUNDS WEBSITE AT
AMERICANFUNDS.COM, FROM THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR FROM YOUR
FINANCIAL ADVISER.

REDUCING YOUR CLASS A INITIAL SALES CHARGE

Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, two or more
retirement plans of an employer or employer's affiliates may combine all of
their American Funds investments to reduce their Class A sales charge. Certain
investments in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series may also be
combined for this purpose. Please see the American Funds Target Date Retirement
Series prospectus for further information. However, for this purpose,
investments representing direct purchases of American Funds money market funds
are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced
Class A sales charge:

 CONCURRENT PURCHASES

 Simultaneous purchases of any class of shares of two or more American Funds
 (excluding American Funds money market funds) may be combined to qualify for a
 reduced Class A sales charge.

 RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION

 You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the
 American Funds (excluding American Funds money market funds) to determine the
 initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. Subject to
 your investment dealer's or recordkeeper's capabilities, your accumulated
 holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your
 existing holdings or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested
 dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any
 withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for further
 details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical
 amounts you have invested.


                                       21

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

 STATEMENT OF INTENTION

 You may reduce your Class A sales charge by establishing a statement of
 intention. A statement of intention allows you to combine all purchases of all
 share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds money market
 funds) you intend to make over a 13-month period to determine the applicable
 sales charge; however, purchases made under a right of reinvestment,
 appreciation of your holdings, and reinvested dividends and capital gains do
 not count as purchases made during the statement period. The market value of
 your existing holdings eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately
 before the start of the statement period may be credited toward satisfying the
 statement. A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional
 Class A sales charges that may be due if your total purchases over the
 statement period do not qualify you for the applicable sales charge reduction.
 Employer-sponsored retirement plans may be restricted from establishing
 statements of intention. See "Sales charges" in this prospectus for more
 information.

RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT

If you notify American Funds Service Company, you may reinvest proceeds from a
redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge
in the same fund or other American Funds, provided that the reinvestment occurs
within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution and is made into
the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the
distribution. If the account has been closed, you may reinvest without a sales
charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed
account. Proceeds will be reinvested in the same share class from which the
original redemption or distribution was made. Redemption proceeds of Class A
shares representing direct purchases in American Funds money market funds that
are reinvested in non-money market American Funds will be subject to a sales
charge. Proceeds will be reinvested at the next calculated net asset value after
your request is received and accepted by American Funds Service Company. For
purposes of this "right of reinvestment policy," automatic transactions
(including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll
deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for
investment without a sales charge. See the statement of additional information
for further information on the operation of this policy with respect to required
minimum distributions. You may not reinvest proceeds in the American Funds as
described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject to a purchase block as
described under "Frequent trading of fund shares" in this prospectus. This
paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as described under
"Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs" in this prospectus.


                                       22

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs

Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, C or F shares through
an IRA rollover, subject to the other provisions of this prospectus and the
prospectus for nonretirement plan shareholders. More information on Class C and
F shares can be found in the fund's prospectus for nonretirement plan
shareholders. Rollovers invested in Class A shares from retirement plans will be
subject to applicable sales charges. The following rollovers to Class A shares
will be made without a sales charge:

. rollovers to IRAs from 403(b) plans with Capital Bank and Trust Company as
  custodian; and

. rollovers to IRAs that are attributable to American Funds investments, if they
  meet the following requirements:

  -- the assets being rolled over were invested in American Funds at the time of
     distribution; and

  -- the rolled over assets are contributed to an American Funds IRA with Capital
     Bank and Trust Company as custodian.

IRA rollover assets that roll over without a sales charge as described above
will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and investment dealers
will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue
immediately. IRA rollover assets invested in Class A shares that are not
attributable to American Funds investments, as well as future contributions to
the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and the terms and conditions generally
applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and the
statement of additional information.

Plans of distribution

The fund has plans of distribution or "12b-1 plans" for certain share classes,
under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares,
provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund's board
of directors. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of
average daily net assets, of up to .25% for Class A shares, up to 1.00% for
Class R-1 and R-2 shares, up to .75% for Class R-3 shares and up to .50% for
Class R-4 shares. For all share classes indicated above, up to .25% of these
expenses may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for providing
certain shareholder services. The amount remaining for each share class may be
used for distribution expenses.

The 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets for the
previous fiscal year, are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table
under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus. Since these fees are
paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they will
increase the cost and reduce the return of your investment.


                                       23

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Other compensation to dealers

American Funds Distributors, at its expense, currently provides additional
compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the
discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 100 dealers (or their
affiliates) that have sold shares of the American Funds. The level of payments
made to a qualifying firm in any given year will vary and in no case would
exceed the sum of (a) .10% of the previous year's American Funds sales by that
dealer and (b) .02% of American Funds assets attributable to that dealer. For
calendar year 2008, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to
dealers were less than .02% of the average assets of the American Funds.
Aggregate payments may also change from year to year. A number of factors will
be considered in determining payments, including the qualifying dealer's sales,
assets and redemption rates, and the quality of the dealer's relationship with
American Funds Distributors. American Funds Distributors makes these payments to
help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts
to educate financial advisers about the American Funds so that they can make
recommendations and provide services that are suitable and meet shareholder
needs. American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine the
advisability of continuing these payments. American Funds Distributors may also
pay expenses associated with meetings conducted by dealers outside the top 100
firms to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the
American Funds. If investment advisers, distributors or other affiliates of
mutual funds pay additional compensation or other incentives in differing
amounts, dealer firms and their advisers may have financial incentives for
recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. You should
consult with your financial adviser and review carefully any disclosure by your
financial adviser's firm as to compensation received.


                                       24

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus


<PAGE>

Distributions and taxes

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The fund intends to distribute dividends to shareholders, usually in March,
June, September and December.

Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. When a dividend or
capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the
amount of the payment.

All dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan
shareholders will be automatically reinvested.

TAXES ON DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement
plan accounts are not taxable currently.

TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS

Exchanges within a tax-deferred retirement plan account will not result in a
capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes. With limited
exceptions, distributions from a retirement plan account are taxable as ordinary
income.

PLEASE SEE YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR MORE INFORMATION.


                                       25

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus
<PAGE>

Financial highlights

The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's
results for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial
results for a single share of a particular class. The total returns in the table
represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment
in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain
distributions). Where indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if
any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management
Company and Washington Management Corporation. For more information about these
reimbursements/waivers, see the statement of additional information and the
fund's annual report. The information in the Financial Highlights table has been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the fund's
financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information,
which is available upon request.




                                  (LOSS) INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS/1/          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

                                                  Net (losses)
                                                    gains on
                      Net asset                    securities                    Dividends   Distributions      Total
                       value,         Net            (both         Total from    (from net       (from        dividends
                      beginning   investment      realized and     investment    investment     capital          and
                       of year      income        unrealized)      operations     income)       gains)      distributions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLASS A:
Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx          $xx.xx           $xx.xx       $xx.xx        $xx.xx         $xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.55          .71           (2.68)           (1.97)        (.72)        (1.94)         (2.66)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.66          .68            4.71             5.39         (.66)         (.84)         (1.50)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.85          .66            3.20             3.86         (.62)         (.43)         (1.05)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.79          .67            1.22             1.89         (.60)         (.23)          (.83)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-1:
Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx           xx.xx            xx.xx        xx.xx         xx.xx          xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.33          .42           (2.66)           (2.24)        (.43)        (1.94)         (2.37)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.48          .39            4.68             5.07         (.38)         (.84)         (1.22)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.71          .39            3.17             3.56         (.36)         (.43)          (.79)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.68          .40            1.21             1.61         (.35)         (.23)          (.58)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-2:
Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx           xx.xx            xx.xx        xx.xx         xx.xx          xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.25          .41           (2.66)           (2.25)        (.42)        (1.94)         (2.36)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.40          .39            4.68             5.07         (.38)         (.84)         (1.22)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.64          .40            3.16             3.56         (.37)         (.43)          (.80)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.60          .41            1.22             1.63         (.36)         (.23)          (.59)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-3:
Year ended 4/30/2009   $xx.xx       $xx.xx          $xx.xx           $xx.xx       $xx.xx        $xx.xx         $xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.38          .58           (2.67)           (2.09)        (.59)        (1.94)         (2.53)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.51          .55            4.70             5.25         (.54)         (.84)         (1.38)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.73          .54            3.18             3.72         (.51)         (.43)          (.94)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.68          .56            1.21             1.77         (.49)         (.23)          (.72)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-4:
Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx           xx.xx            xx.xx        xx.xx         xx.xx          xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.46          .68           (2.68)           (2.00)        (.69)        (1.94)         (2.63)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.57          .65            4.72             5.37         (.64)         (.84)         (1.48)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.78           64            3.18             3.82         (.60)         (.43)         (1.03)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.73          .64            1.22             1.86         (.58)         (.23)          (.81)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-5:
Year ended 4/30/2009    xx.xx        xx.xx           xx.xx            xx.xx        xx.xx         xx.xx          xx.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008    36.55          .78           (2.67)           (1.89)        (.80)        (1.94)         (2.74)
Year ended 4/30/2007    32.65          .76            4.72             5.48         (.74)         (.84)         (1.58)
Year ended 4/30/2006    29.85          .73            3.19             3.92         (.69)         (.43)         (1.12)
Year ended 4/30/2005    28.79          .73            1.22             1.95         (.66)         (.23)          (.89)



                                       26

Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>




                                                                   Ratio of     Ratio of
                                                                   expenses     expenses
                                                                  to average   to average        Ratio
                                                   Net assets,    net assets   net assets       of net
                      Net asset                      end of      before reim-  after reim-     income to
                      value, end    Total             year       bursements/   bursements/      average
                       of year    return/2/,/3/   (in millions)    waivers     waivers/3/     net assets/3/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLASS A:
Year ended 4/30/2009    $xx.xx      x.xx%           $ xx.xx         x.xx%         x.xx%           x.xx%
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.92      (5.78)            60,782         .60           .58            2.02
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.55      16.85             70,811         .60           .57            2.00
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.66      13.11             64,202         .60           .57            2.13
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.85       6.55             61,185         .61           .60            2.24
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-1:
Year ended 4/30/2009     xx.xx       x.xx             xx.xx         x.xx          x.xx            x.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.72      (6.55)               67         1.42          1.40            1.20
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.33      15.86                69         1.43          1.41            1.15
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.48      12.10                47         1.47          1.44            1.26
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.71       5.62                34         1.50          1.47            1.35
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-2:
Year ended 4/30/2009     xx.xx      x.xx%             xx.xx         x.xx          x.xx            x.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.64      (6.57)              865         1.44          1.41            1.19
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.25      15.91               985         1.47          1.41            1.15
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.40      12.13               812         1.53          1.41            1.29
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.64       5.68               622         1.57          1.44            1.38
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-3:
Year ended 4/30/2009    $xx.xx      x.xx%           $ xx.xx        x.xx%         x.xx%            x.xx%
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.76      (6.13)            1,827          .95           .93            1.67
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.38      16.45             2,199          .96           .93            1.63
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.51      12.68             1,878          .97           .94            1.75
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.73       6.17             1,705          .95           .94            1.89
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-4:
Year ended 4/30/2009     xx.xx       x.xx             xx.xx         x.xx          x.xx            x.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.83      (5.87)            1,125          .67           .65            1.95
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.46      16.82             1,213          .67           .64            1.92
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.57      13.00             1,013          .68           .65            2.06
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.78       6.46               830          .68           .67            2.14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS R-5:
Year ended 4/30/2009     xx.xx       x.xx             xx.xx         x.xx          x.xx            x.xx
Year ended 4/30/2008     31.92      (5.57)            1,319          .37           .35            2.24
Year ended 4/30/2007     36.55      17.15             1,154          .37           .35            2.22
Year ended 4/30/2006     32.65      13.34               883          .38           .35            2.34
Year ended 4/30/2005     29.85       6.78               619          .38           .37            2.45






                                         YEAR ENDED APRIL 30
                          2009       2008       2007       2006        2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
RATE FOR ALL CLASSES       xx%        18%        19%        13%         16%
OF SHARES



1   Based on average shares outstanding.
2   Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges.
3   This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers
    from Capital Research and Management Company and Washington Management
    Corporation. During some of the years shown, Capital Research and Management
    Company and Washington Management Corporation reduced fees for investment
    advisory and business management services. In addition, during some of the
    years shown, Capital Research and Management Company paid a portion of the
    fund's transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.



                                       27

                                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund / Prospectus

<PAGE>



[logo - American Funds /(R)/]               The right choice for the long term/(R)/




  FOR SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                 American Funds Service Company
                                           800/421-0180

  FOR RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES             Call your employer or plan administrator

  FOR ADVISER MARKETING                    American Funds Distributors
                                           800/421-9900

                                           americanfunds.com
  FOR 24-HOUR INFORMATION                  For Class R share information, visit
                                           AmericanFundsRetirement.com


  Telephone calls you have with the American Funds organization may be monitored
  or recorded for quality assurance, verification and/or recordkeeping purposes.
  By speaking with us on the telephone, you are giving your consent to such
  monitoring and recording.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS  This prospectus may be translated into other languages.
If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity in the meaning of any translated word
or phrase, the English text will prevail.

ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS  The shareholder reports contain
additional information about the fund, including financial statements,
investment results, portfolio holdings, a discussion of market conditions and
the fund's investment strategies and the independent registered public
accounting firm's report (in the annual report).

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) AND CODES OF ETHICS The current SAI,
as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information about the fund,
including the fund's financial statements, and is incorporated by reference into
this prospectus. This means that the current SAI, for legal purposes, is part of
this prospectus. The codes of ethics describe the personal investing policies
adopted by the fund, the fund's business manager, the fund's investment adviser
and its affiliated companies.

The codes of ethics and current SAI are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). These and other related materials about the fund are available
for review or to be copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
D.C. (202/551-8090) or on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov or,
after payment of a duplicating fee, via e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or
by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington,
D.C. 20549-1520. The codes of ethics, current SAI and shareholder reports are
also available, free of charge, on americanfunds.com.

E-DELIVERY AND HOUSEHOLD MAILINGS Each year you are automatically sent an
updated prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the fund. You may also
occasionally receive proxy statements for the fund. In order to reduce the
volume of mail you receive, when possible, only one copy of these documents will
be sent to shareholders who are part of the same family and share the same
household address. You may elect to receive these documents electronically in
lieu of paper form by enrolling in e-delivery on our website, americanfunds.com.

If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a
complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics or annual/semi-annual
report to shareholders, please call American Funds Service Company at
800/421-0180 or write to the secretary of the fund at 1101 Vermont Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20005.

SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION (SIPC)  Shareholders may obtain
information about SIPC/(R)/ on its website at sipc.org or by calling
202/371-8300.




                                                                                       Investment Company File No. 811-00604
                                                                                  RPGEPR-901-0709P Litho in USA CGD/RRD/8045
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES
American Funds     Capital Research and Management    Capital International       Capital Guardian     Capital Bank and Trust
 
<PAGE>


                     WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND, INC.

                                     Part B
                      Statement of Additional Information

                                July 1, 2009


This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the
current prospectus or retirement plan prospectus of Washington Mutual Investors
Fund (the "fund" or "WMIF") dated July 1, 2009. You may obtain a prospectus from
your financial adviser or by writing to the fund at the following address:

                     Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
                              Attention: Secretary
                            1101 Vermont Avenue, NW
                              Washington, DC 20005
                                  202/842-5665

Certain privileges and/or services described below may not be available to all
shareholders (including shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value
through eligible retirement plans) depending on the shareholder's investment
dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial adviser,
investment dealer, plan recordkeeper or employer for more information.





Class A      AWSHX        Class 529-A          CWMAX    Class R-1          RWMAX
Class B      WSHBX        Class 529-B          CWMBX    Class R-2          RWMBX
Class C      WSHCX        Class 529-C          CWMCX    Class R-3          RWMCX
Class F-1    WSHFX        Class 529-E          CWMEX    Class R-4          RWMEX
Class F-2    WMFFX        Class 529-F-1        CWMFX    Class R-5          RWMFX
                                                        Class R-6





                               TABLE OF CONTENTS



Item                                                                  Page no.
----                                                                  --------

Certain investment limitations and guidelines . . . . . . . . . . .
Description of certain securities and investment techniques . . . .
Fund policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management of the fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Execution of portfolio transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disclosure of portfolio holdings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Price of shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes and distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase and exchange of shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales charge reductions and waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholder account services and privileges . . . . . . . . . . . .
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial statements




                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 1
<PAGE>


                 CERTAIN INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS AND GUIDELINES

The following limitations and guidelines are considered at the time of purchase,
under normal circumstances, and are based on a percentage of the fund's net
assets unless otherwise noted. This summary is not intended to reflect all of
the fund's investment limitations.


GENERAL GUIDELINE

.    As set forth in its Prospectus, generally common stocks and securities
     convertible into common stocks meeting the fund's Investment Standards and
     on the fund's Eligible List may be purchased by the fund; however, the fund
     may also hold, to a limited extent, short-term U.S. government securities,
     other money market instruments, cash and cash equivalents.

                        *     *     *     *     *     *

The fund may experience difficulty liquidating certain portfolio securities
during significant market declines or periods of heavy redemptions.


          DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES

The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the prospectus
under "Investment objective, strategies and risks."


EQUITY SECURITIES -- Equity securities represent an ownership position in a
company. Equity securities held by the fund typically consist of common stocks.
The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on, among other things, events
specific to their issuers and market, economic and other conditions.


There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular equity
securities, which may adversely affect the fund's ability to value accurately or
dispose of such equity securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or
liquidity of equity securities.


SECURITIES WITH EQUITY AND DEBT CHARACTERISTICS -- The fund may invest in
securities that have a combination of equity and debt characteristics. These
securities may at times behave more like equity than debt or vice versa. These
securities, prior to conversion, may pay a fixed rate of interest or a dividend.
Because convertible securities have both debt and equity characteristics, their
values vary in response to many factors, including the values of the securities
into which they are convertible, general market and economic conditions, and
convertible market valuations, as well as changes in interest rates, credit
spreads and the credit quality of the issuer.


SECURITIES OF ISSUERS OUTSIDE THE U.S. -- The fund may invest up to 5% of its
assets in securities of certain companies domiciled outside of the United States
and not included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index as further
described below under "The fund and its investment policies." Foreign securities
may be subject to certain risks, different from those of investing in U.S. based
companies. These include less publicly available information about issues,
different accounting, auditing and financial reporting regulations and
practices, changing economic, political and social conditions, and risks
associated with foreign currency exchange rates and foreign trading markets.
These securities are in the form of American Depositary


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 2
<PAGE>


Receipts ("ADRs") which are typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company
evidencing ownership of an underlying foreign security. Investing in foreign
securities that are traded in the U.S. or through ADRs avoids certain foreign
currency risks. Investing through ADRs may, however, make it more difficult to
exercise all of the rights that customarily attach to share ownership.


OBLIGATIONS BACKED BY THE "FULL FAITH AND CREDIT" OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT -- U.S.
government obligations include the following types of securities:


     U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES -- U.S. Treasury securities include direct
     obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds.
     For these securities, the payment of principal and interest is
     unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. government, and thus they are of the
     highest possible credit quality. Such securities are subject to variations
     in market value due to fluctuations in interest rates, but, if held to
     maturity, will be paid in full.

     FEDERAL AGENCY SECURITIES -- The securities of certain U.S. government
     agencies and government-sponsored entities are guaranteed as to the timely
     payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
     government. Such agencies and entities include the Government National
     Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), the Veterans Administration (VA), the
     Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank),
     the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Commodity Credit
     Corporation (CCC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY OBLIGATIONS -- Additional federal agency securities are
neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the U.S. government. These
obligations include securities issued by certain U.S. government agencies and
government-sponsored entities. However, they generally involve some form of
federal sponsorship: some operate under a government charter; some are backed by
specific types of collateral; some are supported by the issuer's right to borrow
from the Treasury; and others are supported only by the credit of the issuing
government agency or entity. These agencies and entities include, but are not
limited to: Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Tennessee
Valley Authority and Federal Farm Credit Bank System.


On September 7, 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed into
conservatorship by their new regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury made a commitment of indefinite duration to
maintain the positive net worth of both firms.


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- The fund may hold cash or invest in cash
equivalents. Cash equivalents include (a) commercial paper (for example,
short-term notes with maturities typically up to 12 months in length issued by
corporations, governmental bodies or bank/corporation sponsored conduits
(asset-backed commercial paper)) (b) short-term bank obligations (for example,
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances (time drafts on a commercial bank
where the bank accepts an irrevocable obligation to pay at maturity)) or bank
notes, (c) savings association and savings bank obligations (for example, bank
notes and certificates of deposit issued by savings banks or savings
associations), (d) securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities that mature, or may be redeemed, in one year or less, and (e)
corporate bonds and notes that mature, or that may be redeemed, in one year or
less.

                        *     *     *     *     *     *


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 3
<PAGE>



PORTFOLIO TURNOVER -- The fund's portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years
ended 2009 and 2008 were XX% and 18%, respectively, and the average of the last
five years was XX%. The portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each
security in a fund's portfolio was replaced once per year. See "Financial
highlights" in the prospectus for the fund's annual portfolio turnover for each
of the last five fiscal years.


With the fund's focus on long term investing, the fund does not engage in high
portfolio turnover (100% or more). High turnover generates greater transaction
costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions, and may result in
the realization of excessive short-term capital gains, which are taxable at the
highest rate when distributed to shareholders. Short-term trading profits are
not the fund's objective, and changes in its investments are generally
accomplished gradually, though short-term transactions may occasionally be made.


                      THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENT POLICIES

The fund has Investment Standards based upon criteria originally established by
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for determining
the eligibility of securities under the Court's Legal List procedure which was
in effect for many years. The fund has an Eligible List of investments based
upon its Investment Standards. The fund's Investment Standards encompass
numerous criteria that govern which securities may be included on the fund's
Eligible List. Currently, those criteria include, for example: (i) a security
shall be listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or meet the financial
listing requirements of the NYSE (the applicable listing requirements are set
forth in Section 1 of the Listed Company Manual of the NYSE); (ii) except for
banks and a few other companies, the issuing company must have fully earned its
dividends in at least four of the past five years and paid a dividend in at
least nine of the past ten years; (iii) banks and savings and loan associations
must have paid a dividend in at least four of the past five years; (iv)
companies which do not meet the fund's dividend payment requirements must meet
other additional requirements which are generally more stringent than the fund's
other standards applicable to dividend paying companies (these companies are
limited to 5% of the fund's total assets at the time of the investment); (v) the
ratio of current assets to liabilities for most individual companies must be at
least 1.5 to 1, or their bonds must be rated at least investment grade by
Standard & Poor's; (vi) banks, insurance companies and other financial
institutions must have capital funds of at least $1 billion; and (vii) companies
must not derive the majority of their revenues from alcohol or tobacco products.


Although the fund generally invests in U.S. companies, the fund may invest up to
5% of its assets in securities of certain companies domiciled outside the United
States if they meet the fund's Investment Standards, including certain
requirements designed specifically for companies domiciled outside the U.S.
Among other things, the Investment Standards require that any such company must
have an economic nexus to the U.S. and must be listed on the NYSE. Companies
that are included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index do not count
towards this 5% limit. This Index may, from time to time, include a few
companies whose corporate domiciles are outside the U.S. The fund may also hold
securities of companies domiciled outside the U.S. when such companies have
merged with or otherwise acquired a company in which the fund held shares at the
time of the merger.


The Investment Standards are periodically reviewed by the fund's board of
directors, investment adviser and business manager. Although the Investment
Standards are not changed frequently, modifications may be made, with the
approval of the fund's board of directors, as a result of economic, market or
corporate developments. The investment adviser is required to select the


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 4
<PAGE>


fund's investments exclusively from the Eligible List. The investment adviser
monitors the Eligible List and makes recommendations to the board of directors
of additions to, or deletions from, the Eligible List for continued compliance
with the fund's Investment Standards.


It is believed that in applying the above disciplines and procedures, the fund
makes available to pension and profit-sharing trustees and other fiduciaries a
prudent stock investment and an assurance of continuity of investment quality
which it has always been the policy of the fund to provide. However, fiduciary
investment responsibility and the Prudent Investor Rule involve a mixed question
of law and fact which cannot be conclusively determined in advance. Moreover,
recent changes to the Prudent Investor Rule in some jurisdictions speak to an
allocation of funds among a variety of investments. Therefore, each fiduciary
should examine the common stock portfolio of the fund to see that it, along with
other investments, meets the requirements of the specific trust. The Investment
Standards are not part of the fund's Investment Restrictions discussed below.


                                 FUND POLICIES

All percentage limitations in the following fund policies are considered at the
time securities are purchased and are based on the fund's net assets unless
otherwise indicated. None of the following policies involving a maximum
percentage of assets will be considered violated unless the excess occurs
immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition by the fund.


FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES -- The fund has adopted the following fundamental policies,
which may not be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its
outstanding shares. Such majority is defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more
of the voting securities present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by
proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.


The fund may not:


 1.  Purchase any security which is not legal for the investment of trust funds
     in the District of Columbia;

 2.  Purchase or sell real estate or commodities;

 3.  Make a purchase which would cause more than 5% of the value of the total
     assets of the fund to be invested in the securities of any one issuer;

 4.  Make a purchase which would cause more than 10% of the outstanding
     securities of any issuer to be held in the portfolio of the fund;

 5.  Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management and
     may not invest in securities of other investment companies;

 6.  Purchase securities on margin or sell securities short;

 7.  Lend money;


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 5
<PAGE>


 8.  Borrow money except for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
     investment purposes and then only from banks in an amount not exceeding at
     the time of borrowing 10% of the fund's net assets, nor pledge or
     hypothecate more than 10% of its net assets and then only to secure such
     borrowing, provided that the fund may not purchase portfolio securities
     during any periods when loans amounting to 5% or more of the fund's net
     assets are outstanding; and

 9.  Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its
     total assets at the time of such purchase to be invested in the securities
     of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the
     same industry. The board of directors, acting upon the recommendations of
     the advisory board, may from time to time establish lower limitations on
     the amount of investment in specific industries.

It is a declared policy of the fund to maintain a fully invested position with
cash equivalents not to exceed 5% of net assets after allowing for sales of
portfolio securities and fund shares within thirty days and the accumulation of
cash balances representing undistributed net investment income and realized
capital gains.


Notwithstanding the restriction on investing in the securities of other
investment companies, the fund may invest in securities of other investment
companies if deemed advisable by its officers in connection with the
administration of a deferred compensation plan adopted by directors as permitted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.


The fund does not act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except
to the extent that the disposal of an investment position may technically
constitute the fund an underwriter as the term is defined in the Securities Act
of 1933.


NONFUNDAMENTAL POLICIES -- The following policy may be changed by the board of
directors without shareholder approval:


The fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 6
<PAGE>

                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

"INDEPENDENT" DIRECTORS/1/



 NAME, AGE AND                                                 NUMBER OF
 POSITION OF FUND                                            PORTFOLIOS/3/
 (YEAR FIRST ELECTED/2/ AS A     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)       OVERSEEN        OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS/4/ HELD
 DIRECTOR)                        DURING PAST FIVE YEARS      BY DIRECTOR              BY DIRECTOR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nariman Farvardin, 52          Senior Vice President for          1         None
 Director (2007)                Academic Affairs &
                                Provost, University of
                                Maryland; former Dean, The
                                A. James Clark School of
                                Engineering, University of
                                Maryland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Barbara Hackman Franklin,      President and CEO, Barbara         3         Aetna, Inc.; The Dow Chemical
 69                             Franklin Enterprises                         Company; JPMorgan Value
 Director (2005)                (international business                      Opportunities Fund
                                and governance
                                consulting); former U.S.
                                Secretary of Commerce
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 R. Clark Hooper, 62            Private investor; former          19         JPMorgan Value Opportunities
 Director (2003)                President, Dumbarton Group                   Fund, Inc.;
                                LLC (securities industry                     The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
                                consulting); former
                                Executive Vice President -
                                Policy and Oversight, NASD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James C. Miller III, 66        Senior Advisor, Husch              3         Clean Energy Fuels Corporation;
 Director (1992)                Blackwell Sanders LLP;                       JPMorgan Value Opportunities
                                former Chairman, The                         Fund, Inc.
                                CapAnalysis Group, LLC
                                (economic, financial and
                                regulatory consulting);
                                former Director, U.S.
                                Office of Management and
                                Budget
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Donald L. Nickles, 60          Chairman of the Board and          1         Chesapeake Energy Corporation;
 Director (2007)                CEO, The Nickles Group                       Fortress International Group,
                                (consulting and business                     Inc.; Valero Energy Corporation
                                venture firm); former
                                United States Senator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Katherine D. Ortega, 74        Former Treasurer of the            3         JPMorgan Value Opportunities
 Director (2002)                United States                                Fund, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 William J. Shaw, 63            Vice Chairman, Marriott            1         Marriott International, Inc.
 Director (2009)                International, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 John Knox Singleton, 60        President and CEO, INOVA           3         Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.;
 Chairman of the Board          Health System                                JPMorgan Value Opportunities
 (Independent and                                                            Fund, Inc.
 Non-executive) (2001)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 7
<PAGE>

"INTERESTED" DIRECTORS/5/,/6/



                                   PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
                                   DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
 NAME, AGE AND                          AND POSITIONS            NUMBER OF
 POSITION OF FUND               HELD WITH AFFILIATED ENTITIES  PORTFOLIOS/3/
 (YEAR FIRST ELECTED/2/ AS A    OR THE PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER     OVERSEEN      OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS/4/ HELD
 DIRECTOR)                               OF THE FUND            BY DIRECTOR            BY DIRECTOR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 James H. Lemon, Jr., 73         Chairman of the Board and           3         JPMorgan Value Opportunities
 Vice Chairman of the Board      CEO,                                          Fund, Inc.
 (1971)                          The Johnston-Lemon Group,
                                 Incorporated (financial
                                 services holding company)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Harry J. Lister, 73             Director, Washington                1         None
 Director (1972)                 Management Corporation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jeffrey L. Steele, 63           President and Director,             3         JPMorgan Value Opportunities
 President and Director          Washington Management                         Fund, Inc.
 (2000)                          Corporation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 8
<PAGE>

OTHER OFFICERS/6/



 NAME, AGE AND
 POSITION OF FUND             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
 (YEAR FIRST ELECTED/2/ AS      AND POSITIONS HELD WITH AFFILIATED ENTITIES
 AN OFFICER)                     OR THE PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER OF THE FUND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Michael W. Stockton, 42     Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and
 Vice President,             Treasurer, Washington Management Corporation
 Treasurer and Assistant
 Secretary (1995)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lois A. Erhard, 56          Vice President, Washington Management Corporation
 Vice President (1983)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 J. Lanier Frank, 48         Assistant Vice President, Washington Management
 Assistant Vice President    Corporation
 (1997)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jennifer L. Butler, 43      Vice President and Assistant Secretary,
 Secretary (2005)            Washington Management Corporation; former
                             Specialist, Fund Administration, Pacific
                             Investment Management Company
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Stephanie L. Pfromer, 40    Vice President and General Counsel, Washington
 Assistant Secretary         Management Corporation; former Vice President and
 (2007)                      Senior Counsel, The BISYS Group, Inc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Curt M. Scott, 30           Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer,
 Assistant Treasurer         Washington Management Corporation; former
 (2006)                      Financial Analyst, The BISYS Group, Inc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1   The term "independent" director refers to a director who is not an "interested
    person" of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
2   Directors and officers of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or
    retirement.
3   Funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company including the
    American Funds; American Funds Insurance Series,/(R)/ which is composed of 16
    funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable
    insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,/(R)/ Inc.,
    which is composed of nine funds and is available to investors in tax-deferred
    retirement plans and IRAs; and Endowments, which is composed of two portfolios
    and is available to certain nonprofit organizations.
4   This includes all directorships (other than those in the American Funds or
    other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company) that are held
    by each director as a director of a public company or a registered investment
    company.
5   "Interested persons" of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, on the
    basis of their affiliation with the fund's Business Manager, Washington
    Management Corporation.
6   All of the directors and officers listed are officers and/or
    directors/trustees of one or more other funds for which Washington Management
    Corporation serves as business manager.

THE ADDRESS FOR ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND IS 1101 VERMONT AVENUE,
NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20005, ATTENTION: SECRETARY.


                   Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 9
<PAGE>

FUND SHARES OWNED BY DIRECTORS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008:



                                                                                         AGGREGATE
                                                                                          DOLLAR
                                                                                        RANGE/1/ OF
                                                                                        INDEPENDENT
                                                  AGGREGATE                              DIRECTORS
                                               DOLLAR RANGE/1/        DOLLAR             DEFERRED
                                                  OF SHARES         RANGE/1 /OF       COMPENSATION/2/
                                                  OWNED IN          INDEPENDENT        ALLOCATED TO
                                                  ALL FUNDS          DIRECTORS           ALL FUNDS
                                                   IN THE            DEFERRED             WITHIN
                            DOLLAR RANGE/1/    AMERICAN FUNDS     COMPENSATION/2/     AMERICAN FUNDS
                                OF FUND        FAMILY OVERSEEN       ALLOCATED        FAMILY OVERSEEN
          NAME               SHARES OWNED        BY DIRECTOR          TO FUND           BY DIRECTOR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 "INDEPENDENT" DIRECTORS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Nariman Farvardin         $10,001 - $50,000  $10,001 - $50,000  $10,001 - $50,000   $10,001 - $50,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Barbara Hackman             Over $100,000      Over $100,000          None                None
 Franklin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 R. Clark Hooper             Over $100,000      Over $100,000        $50,001 -      $50,001 - $100,000
                                                                     $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James C. Miller III         Over $100,000      Over $100,000          None                None
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Donald L. Nickles         $10,001 - $50,000  $10,001 - $50,000    Over $100,000       Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Katherine D. Ortega         Over $100,000      Over $100,000      Over $100,000       Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 William J. Shaw/3/          Over $100,000      Over $100,000          None                None
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 J. Knox Singleton               None           Over $100,000      Over $100,000       Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 10
<PAGE>



                                                           AGGREGATE
                                                        DOLLAR RANGE/1/
                                                           OF SHARES
                                                            OWNED IN
                                                           ALL FUNDS
                                                             IN THE
                           DOLLAR RANGE/1/               AMERICAN FUNDS
                               OF FUND                  FAMILY OVERSEEN
        NAME                 SHARES OWNED                 BY DIRECTOR
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 "INTERESTED" DIRECTORS/4/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James H. Lemon,             Over $100,000                Over $100,000
 Jr.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Harry J. Lister             Over $100,000                Over $100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jeffrey L. Steele           Over $100,000                Over $100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1   Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 - $10,000;
    $10,001 - $50,000; $50,001 - $100,000; and Over $100,000.
2   Eligible directors may defer their compensation under a nonqualified deferred
    compensation plan. Deferred amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined
    by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the
    director.
3   In conjunction with Mr. Shaw becoming a director on January 1, 2009 he
    purchased fund shares valued at over $100,000.
4   "Interested persons" of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, on the
    basis of their affiliation with the fund's Business Manager, Washington
    Management Corporation.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION -- No compensation is paid by the fund to any officer or
director who is a director, officer or employee of the business manager, the
investment adviser or its affiliates. The fund pays annual fees of $99,200 to
independent directors, plus an annual fee of $7,950 for the audit committee
chair and an annual fee of $5,300 for the proxy committee chair and standing
sub-committee chairs. An independent director who is chairman of the board (an
"independent chair") also receives an additional fee of $33,000, which is paid
by the fund or shared based on the relative board meeting fee if serving
multiple funds.


In addition, the fund generally pays to independent directors fees of (a) $3,800
for each board of directors meeting attended and (b) $2,650 for each meeting
attended as a member of a committee of the board of directors. Independent
directors also receive attendance fees of $2,650 per day for each director
seminar or information session organized by the investment adviser as well as
for attendance at mutual fund industry related conferences and seminars.


No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of fund expenses.
Independent directors may elect, on a voluntary basis, to defer all or a portion
of their fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund. The
fund also reimburses certain expenses of the independent directors.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 11
<PAGE>

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION EARNED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2009



                                                              TOTAL COMPENSATION (INCLUDING
                                                                   VOLUNTARILY DEFERRED
                                                                     COMPENSATION/1/)
                                    AGGREGATE COMPENSATION      FROM ALL FUNDS MANAGED BY
                                    (INCLUDING VOLUNTARILY         CAPITAL RESEARCH AND
 "INDEPENDENT"                     DEFERRED COMPENSATION/1/)        MANAGEMENT COMPANY
   DIRECTORS                             FROM THE FUND             OR ITS AFFILIATES/2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nariman Farvardin/3/,/4/                      $XX                            $XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Barbara H. Franklin                            XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 R. Clark Hooper/3/                             XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James C. Miller III                            XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Donald L. Nickles/3/,/4/                       XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Katherine D. Ortega/3/                         XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 J. Knox Singleton/3/                           XX                             XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1   Amounts may be deferred by eligible directors under a nonqualified deferred
    compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1994. Deferred amounts accumulate at
    an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds
    as designated by the directors.
2   Funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company including the
    American Funds; American Funds Insurance Series,/(R)/ which is composed of 16
    funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable
    insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,/(R)/ Inc.,
    which is composed of nine funds and is available to investors in tax-deferred
    retirement plans and IRAs; and Endowments, which is composed of two portfolios
    and is available to certain nonprofit organizations.
3   Since the deferred compensation plan's adoption, the total amount of deferred
    compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the 2009
    fiscal year for participating directors is as follows: Nariman Farvardin ($XX),
    R. Clark Hooper ($XX), Donald L. Nickles ($XX), Katherine D. Ortega ($XX) and
    J. Knox Singleton ($XX). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are
    not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the
    directors.
4   Began service as a director on December 21, 2007.


As of June 1, 2009, the officers and directors of the fund and their families,
as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the fund.


FUND ORGANIZATION AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- The fund, an open-end,
diversified management investment company, was organized as a Delaware
Corporation in 1952 and reincorporated in Maryland in 1990. Although the board
of directors has delegated day-to-day oversight to the business manager and
investment adviser, all fund operations are supervised by the fund's board,
which meets periodically and performs duties required by applicable state and
federal laws.


Under Maryland law, the business affairs of a fund are managed under the
direction of the board of directors, and all powers of the fund are exercised by
or under the authority of the board except as reserved to the shareholders by
law or the fund's charter or by-laws. Maryland law requires each director to
perform his/her duties as a director, including his/her duties as a member of
any board committee on which he/she serves, in good faith, in a manner he/she
reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the fund, and with the care
that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar
circumstances.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 12
<PAGE>


Independent board members are paid certain fees for services rendered to the
fund as described above. They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees
through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund.


The fund has several different classes of shares. Shares of each class represent
an interest in the same investment portfolio. Each class has pro rata rights as
to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears
different distribution expenses and may bear different transfer agent fees and
other expenses properly attributable to the particular class as approved by the
board of directors and set forth in the fund's rule 18f-3 Plan. Each class'
shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the respective class'
rule 12b-1 plans adopted in connection with the distribution of shares and on
other matters in which the interests of one class are different from interests
in another class. Shares of all classes of the fund vote together on matters
that affect all classes in substantially the same manner. Each class votes as a
class on matters that affect that class alone. Note that 529 college savings
plan account owners invested in Class 529 shares are not shareholders of the
fund and, accordingly, do not have the rights of a shareholder, such as the
right to vote proxies relating to fund shares. As the legal owner of the fund's
Class 529 shares, the Virginia College Savings Plan/SM/ will vote any proxies
relating to such fund shares.


The fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. However, significant
matters that require shareholder approval, such as certain elections of board
members or a change in a fundamental investment policy, will be presented to
shareholders at a meeting called for such purpose. Shareholders have one vote
per share owned. At the request of the holders of at least 10% of the shares,
the fund will hold a meeting at which any member of the board could be removed
by a majority vote.


The fund's articles of incorporation and by-laws as well as separate
indemnification agreements that the fund has entered into with independent
directors provide in effect that, subject to certain conditions, the fund will
indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities or expenses actually
and reasonably incurred by them relating to their service to the fund. However,
directors are not protected from liability by reason of their willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their office.


COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The fund has an audit committee composed of three directors who are not
considered "interested persons" of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act
("independent directors"): R. Clark Hooper, James C. Miller III (Co-chair) and
Katherine D. Ortega (Co-chair). The function of the committee is the oversight
of the Corporation's accounting and financial reporting policies. The committee
acts as a liaison between the fund's independent registered public accounting
firm and the full board of directors.


The fund has a governance committee composed of J. Knox Singleton (Chair) and
all the other independent directors. The committee's functions include, through
a contracts sub-committee, reviewing all contracts and agreements with the fund,
as required by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. The governance committee
reports its recommendations to the full board of directors. In addition, the
governance committee periodically reviews such issues as the board's
composition, responsibilities, committees and compensation (through a
compensation sub-committee) and other relevant issues, and recommends any
appropriate changes to the full board of directors. The governance committee
also evaluates, selects and nominates candidates


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 13
<PAGE>


for independent directors to the full board of directors. While the governance
committee normally is able to identify from its own resources an ample number of
qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be
considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions
must be sent in writing to the governance committee of the Fund, c/o the fund's
secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational
data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective
nominee for consideration of his or her name by the governance committee.


The fund has a committee on proxy voting procedures composed of Barbara H.
Franklin (Chair), R. Clark Hooper, Katherine D. Ortega and Jeffrey L. Steele.
The committee's functions include establishing and reviewing procedures and
policies for voting of proxies of companies held in the fund's portfolio.


There were six board of directors meetings, 10 committee meetings (five audit,
three proxy and two governance committee meetings) during the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2009. All directors attended at least 75% of all board meetings and
meetings of the committees of which they were members.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 14
<PAGE>

DIRECTORS EMERITUS

The board of directors has named certain retired directors of the fund to the
position of director emeritus. Directors emeritus are invited to attend board
meetings but do not have any of the duties or responsibilities of board members.
They may be consulted from time to time by the board, primarily with respect to
their prior board experience. The chart below sets out additional information
about the directors emeritus members.



                                                                              AGGREGATE
                                                                             COMPENSATION
                                     YEARS OF                              FROM THE FUND/2/
                                      SERVICE                                  FOR THE
                                     WITH THE                                FISCAL YEAR
 NAME AND AGE                         FUND/1/   PRINCIPAL AFFILIATION    ENDED APRIL 30, 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Stephen Hartwell, 94                   40       Chairman, Washington            none/4/
 Chairman Emeritus                               Management
                                                 Corporation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cyrus A. Ansary,/3 /75                 25       President,                     $   XX
                                                 Investment Services
                                                 International Co.,
                                                 LLC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Charles A. Bowsher,/3 /77               7       Retired Comptroller            $   XX
                                                 General of United
                                                 States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fred J. Brinkman, 80                   11       Senior Financial                none/4/
                                                 Consultant,
                                                 Washington
                                                 Management
                                                 Corporation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Daniel J. Callahan III,/3/ 76          11       Vice Chairman and              $   XX
                                                 Treasurer, The
                                                 Morris and Gwendolyn
                                                 Cafritz Foundation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Edward W. Kelley, Jr.,/3/ 77            6       Retired Governor,              $   XX
                                                 Federal Reserve
                                                 Board
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 T. Eugene Smith, 78                    21       President, T. Eugene           $   XX
                                                 Smith, Inc.
                                                 (real estate
                                                 consulting, planning
                                                 and development)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1   This includes years of service as an officer, director and director emeritus.
2   The fund pays annual fees of $50,000 per annum to directors emeritus not
    affiliated with the business manager, plus $1,000 for each board meeting
    attended.
3   Messrs. Callahan and Kelley served as directors until December 20, 2007. Mr.
    Ansary served as a director until December 18, 2008.
4   Fred J. Brinkman and Stephen Hartwell are affiliated with the fund's business
    manager and, accordingly, receive no remuneration from the fund.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 15
<PAGE>


ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

The board of directors has established an advisory board whose members are, in
the judgment of the directors, highly knowledgeable about business, political or
economic matters. In addition to holding meetings with the board of directors,
members of the advisory board, while not participating in specific investment
decisions, consult from time to time with the investment adviser, primarily with
respect to industry diversification and the number of issues to be held by the
fund. Members of the advisory board, however, possess no authority or
responsibility with respect to the fund's investments or management. The chart
below sets out additional information about the advisory board members.



                                                           NUMBER OF BOARDS
 NAME, AGE AND                                             WITHIN THE FUND
 POSITION WITH FUND            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)     COMPLEX ON WHICH     OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD
 (YEAR FIRST ELECTED/1/)        DURING PAST FIVE YEARS     MEMBER SERVES/2/             BY MEMBER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Mary K. Bush, 61             President, Bush                     1           Briggs & Stratton; Discover
 (1995)                       International, LLC                              Financial Services; ManTech
                              (international financial                        International Corporation;
                              advisory services)                              Pioneer Funds; UAL Corporation

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Louise M. Cromwell, 64       Retired Partner, Shaw               1           None
 (2001)                       Pittman LLP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jeffrey A. Eisenach, 51      Chairman and Managing               1           None
 (2008)                       Partner, Empin's LLC;
                              Chairman of the Board,
                              Criterion Economics, LLC
                              (economic litigation,
                              regulation and legislation
                              consulting); former
                              Chairman and President,
                              The CapAnalysis Group, LLC
                              (economic, financial and
                              regulatory consulting)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Linda D. Rabitt, 60          President, Rand                     1           Watson Wyatt & Company
 (2001)                       Construction Corporation                        Holdings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Robert G. Templin, Jr.,      President, Northern                 1           None
 61                           Virginia Community College
 (2008)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 R. Clark Wadlow, 62          Senior Counsel, Sidley              1           None
 (2005)                       Austin LLP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1   Advisory board members of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or
    retirement.
2   Funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, including the
    American Funds; American Funds Insurance Series,(R) which is composed of 16
    funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable
    insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,(R)/ Inc.,
    which is composed of nine funds and is available through tax-deferred
    retirement plans and IRAs; and Endowments, which is composed of two portfolios
    and is available to certain nonprofit organizations. Includes advisory board
    and, where applicable, director service.

THE ADDRESS FOR ALL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS IS THE OFFICE OF THE FUND, 1101
VERMONT AVENUE, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005, ATTENTION: SECRETARY.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 16
<PAGE>


ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION -- The fund pays fees of $8,000 per annum to
advisory board members who are not affiliated with the business manager, the
investment adviser, plus $3,000 for each meeting attended in conjunction with
meetings with the board of directors.


ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION PAID DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2009



                                                              TOTAL COMPENSATION (INCLUDING
                                                                   VOLUNTARILY DEFERRED
                                                                     COMPENSATION/1/)
                                    AGGREGATE COMPENSATION      FROM ALL FUNDS MANAGED BY
                                    (INCLUDING VOLUNTARILY         CAPITAL RESEARCH AND
                                   DEFERRED COMPENSATION/1/)        MANAGEMENT COMPANY
   NAME                                  FROM THE FUND             OR ITS AFFILIATES/2/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Mary K. Bush                                  $XX                         $XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Louise M. Cromwell/2/                          XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jeffrey A. Eisenach/2/                         XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Linda D. Rabbitt/2/                            XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 William J. Shaw/3/                             XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Robert G. Templin, Jr.                         XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 R. Clark Wadlow/2/                             XX                          XX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1   Amounts may be deferred by eligible advisory board members under a
    non-qualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1994. Deferred
    amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or
    more American Funds as designated by the advisory board member.
2   Since the deferred compensation plan's adoption, the total amount of deferred
    compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) as of the fiscal year
    ended April 30, 2009 for participating advisory board members is as follows:
    Louise M. Cromwell ($XX), Jeffrey A. Eisenach ($XX), Linda Rabbitt ($XX) and R.
    Clark Wadlow ($XX). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not
    funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the
    Advisory Board member.
3   William J. Shaw became an independent director on January 1, 2009.


PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES -- The fund's board of directors oversees
the voting of proxies of shares held by the fund and has appointed a committee
on proxy voting procedures to assist it. Members of the committee are Barbara H.
Franklin (Chair), R. Clark Hooper, Katherine D. Ortega and Jeffrey L. Steele.
The board has authorized the president of the fund or his delegate (the "voting
officer") to vote individual proxies and has approved "proxy voting procedures
and guidelines" (the "guidelines") which are used by the voting officer in
deciding how to vote on particular matters. The guidelines provide to the voting
officer guidance on how to vote on a variety of matters that are often the
subject of shareholder voting. The guidelines are not intended to be rigid rules
and each matter is to be considered on a case-by-case basis and voted in the
manner that the voting officer determines to be in the best interests of the
fund and its shareholders.


The guidelines provide that generally the voting officer should vote against (a)
defensive anti-takeover measures, (b) staggered boards of directors, (c)
measures calling for the creation of special classes of shares with extra voting
power and (d) proposals that provide, in the judgment of the voting officer, for
excessive compensation for directors and officers including stock option plans
that may cause excessive dilution to shareholders. The guidelines also provide
that the voting officer should vote in favor of proposals to expense stock
options for financial reporting purposes.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 17
<PAGE>


The guidelines provide that the voting officer should assess on a case-by-case
basis shareholder proposals relating to a wide range of social or political
issues, weighing the impact of such proposals upon the company's shareholders.
Finally, the guidelines provide, as a general policy matter, that the voting
officer should vote in support of corporate management on routine,
non-controversial matters, but that the voting officer should exercise care in
reviewing routine matters to assure that the matter to be voted upon does not
give rise to issues that may call into question whether a vote in support of
management is in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.


If the voting officer is aware of any conflict of interest between the interests
of fund shareholders, on the one hand, and the interests of the fund's
investment adviser or any affiliated person of the fund or its adviser, on the
other hand, the voting officer will discuss and resolve that conflict of
interest with a member of the committee on proxy voting procedures.


Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio
securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 of each year will be
available on or about September 1 of each year, (a) without charge, upon request
by calling American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180, (b) on the American
Funds website at americanfunds.com or (c) on the SEC's website at sec.gov.


PRINCIPAL FUND SHAREHOLDERS -- The following table identifies those investors
who own of record or are known by the fund to own beneficially 5% or more of any
class of its shares as of the opening of business on June 1, 2009. Unless
otherwise indicated, the ownership percentages below represent ownership of
record rather than beneficial ownership.




           NAME AND ADDRESS              OWNERSHIP   OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 XX                                      XX          XX           XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------




UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, REFERENCES IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TO CLASS F SHARES, CLASS R SHARES OR CLASS 529 SHARES REFER TO BOTH F SHARE
CLASSES, ALL R SHARE CLASSES OR ALL 529 SHARE CLASSES, RESPECTIVELY.

BUSINESS MANAGER -- Since its inception, the fund has operated under a Business
Management Agreement with Washington Management Corporation or its predecessors.
The business manager maintains its principal business address at 1101 Vermont
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005.


The business manager provides services necessary to carry on the fund's general
administrative and corporate affairs, and is responsible for monitoring the
various services and operations of the fund. These services encompass matters
relating to general corporate governance, regulatory compliance and monitoring
of the fund's contractual service providers, including custodian operations,
shareholder services and fund share distribution functions, and includes the
provision of all executive personnel, clerical staff, office space and
equipment, and certain accounting and record keeping facilities. The business
manager provides similar services to other mutual funds.


The fund pays all expenses not specifically assumed by the business manager,
including but not limited to, custodian, transfer and dividend disbursing agency
fees and expenses; costs of the designing, printing and mailing of reports,
prospectuses, proxy statements and notices to its


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 18
<PAGE>


shareholders; expenses of shareholders' meetings; taxes; insurance; expenses of
the issuance, sale (including stock certificates, registration and qualification
expenses), or repurchase of shares of the fund; legal and auditing expenses;
expenses pursuant to the fund's plans of distribution; fees and expense
reimbursements paid to directors and advisory board members; association dues;
and costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the fund.


The business manager has agreed to pay to the fund annually, immediately after
the fiscal year end, the amount by which the total expenses of the fund for any
particular fiscal year exceed an amount equal to 1% of the average net assets of
the fund for the year. No such reimbursement was necessary in fiscal 2009. The
expense limitation described above shall apply only to Class A shares issued by
the fund and shall not apply to any other class(es) of shares the fund may
issue. Any new class(es) of shares issued by the fund will not be subject to an
expense limitation. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the
business manager is required to reduce its management fee due to the expenses of
the Class A shares exceeding the stated limit, the reduction in the management
fee will reduce the fund's management fee expense similarly for all other
classes of shares of the fund.


The business manager makes payments to the investment adviser for performing
various accounting services for the fund and the American Funds Tax-Exempt
Series I. The amount paid to the investment adviser may be found in the most
recent shareholder report. The business manager also makes payments to support
compensation paid to dealers (for additional information, see "Other
Compensation to Dealers" below). The amount of these payments to support dealer
compensation were approximately $2.5 million for the year ended December 31,
2008. The business manager receives a monthly fee, accrued daily, at the annual
rate of 0.175% of the first $3 billion of the fund's net assets, 0.15% of net
assets in excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5 billion, 0.135% of net
assets in excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $8 billion, 0.12% of net assets
in excess of $8 billion but not exceeding $12 billion, 0.095% of net assets in
excess of $12 billion but not exceeding $21 billion, 0.075% of net assets in
excess of $21 billion but not exceeding $34 billion, 0.06% of net assets in
excess of $34 billion but not exceeding $44 billion, 0.05% of net assets in
excess of $44 billion but not exceeding $55 billion, 0.04% of net assets in
excess of $55 billion but not exceeding $67 billion, and 0.035% of net assets in
excess of $67 billion but not exceeding $77 billion and 0.03% of net assets in
excess of $77 billion.


For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the business manager
was entitled to receive from the fund fees of $XX, $57,171,000 and $56,603,000,
respectively. After giving effect to the business manager fee waiver described
below, the fund paid the business manager $XX (a reduction of $XX), $51,453,000
(a reduction of $5,718,000) and $50,942,000 (a reduction of $5,661,000) for the
fiscal years ended April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


The current Business Management Agreement, unless sooner terminated, will
continue in effect until August 31, 2009 and may be renewed from year to year
thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at
least annually by (a) the board of directors, or by the vote of a majority (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, and
(b) the vote of a majority of directors who are not parties to the Business
Management Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any
such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Business Management Agreement provides that the business manager
has no liability to the fund for its acts or omissions in the performance of its
obligations to the fund not involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under the Business
Management


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 19
<PAGE>


Agreement. The Business Management Agreement also provides that either party has
the right to terminate it, without penalty, upon sixty (60) days' written notice
to the other party and that the Business Management Agreement automatically
terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


The business manager has established a charitable foundation, The Washington
Management Corporation Foundation, which makes contributions to charities
organized under Section 501 (c)(3) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Employees of the business manager and its affiliates, as well as directors,
directors emeriti, advisory board members and officers of the fund, may
participate in a gift matching program sponsored by the foundation.


For the period from September 1, 2004 until March 31, 2005, the business manager
agreed to waive 5% of the fees that it was otherwise entitled to receive under
the Business Management Agreement. From April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008,
this waiver increased to 10% of the fees that the business manager was otherwise
entitled to receive. The waiver was discontinued effective January 1, 2009.


INVESTMENT ADVISER -- Capital Research and Management Company, the fund's
investment adviser, founded in 1931, maintains research facilities in the United
States and abroad (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, DC, London,
Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo). These facilities are staffed with
experienced investment professionals. The investment adviser is located at 333
South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 and 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine,
CA 92618. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.,
a holding company for several investment management subsidiaries. Capital
Research and Management Company manages equity assets through two investment
divisions, Capital World Investors and Capital Research Global Investors, and
manages fixed-income assets through its Fixed Income division. Capital World
Investors and Capital Research Global Investors make investment decisions on an
independent basis.


The investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address issues
that may arise as a result of an investment professional's management of the
fund and other funds and accounts. Potential issues could involve allocation of
investment opportunities and trades among funds and accounts, use of information
regarding the timing of fund trades, investment professional compensation and
voting relating to portfolio securities. The investment adviser believes that
its policies and procedures are reasonably designed to address these issues.


COMPENSATION OF INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS -- As described in the prospectus, the
investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing
fund assets. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company's investment
analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund's
portfolio within their research coverage.


Portfolio counselors and investment analysts are paid competitive salaries by
Capital Research and Management Company. In addition, they may receive bonuses
based on their individual portfolio results. Investment professionals also may
participate in profit-sharing plans. The relative mix of compensation
represented by bonuses, salary and profit-sharing plans will vary depending on
the individual's portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other
factors.


To encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are
calculated by comparing pretax total investment returns to relevant benchmarks
over the most recent year, a four-year rolling average and an eight-year rolling
average with greater weight placed on the


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 20
<PAGE>


four-year and eight-year rolling averages. For portfolio counselors, benchmarks
may include measures of the marketplaces in which the fund invests and measures
of the results of comparable mutual funds. For investment analysts, benchmarks
may include relevant market measures and appropriate industry or sector indexes
reflecting their areas of expertise. Capital Research and Management Company
makes periodic subjective assessments of analysts' contributions to the
investment process and this is an element of their overall compensation. The
investment results of each of the fund's portfolio counselors may be measured
against one or more of the following benchmarks, depending on his or her
investment focus: S&P 500, the securities that are eligible to be purchased by
the fund and Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index.


PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR FUND HOLDINGS AND OTHER MANAGED ACCOUNTS -- As described
below, portfolio counselors may personally own shares of the fund. In addition,
portfolio counselors may manage portions of other mutual funds or accounts
advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE REFLECTS INFORMATION AS OF APRIL 30, 2009:




                                             NUMBER           NUMBER
                                            OF OTHER         OF OTHER           NUMBER
                                           REGISTERED         POOLED           OF OTHER
                                           INVESTMENT       INVESTMENT         ACCOUNTS
                                        COMPANIES (RICS)  VEHICLES (PIVS)      FOR WHICH
                                           FOR WHICH         FOR WHICH         PORTFOLIO
                                           PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO         COUNSELOR
                        DOLLAR RANGE       COUNSELOR         COUNSELOR       IS A MANAGER
                          OF FUND         IS A MANAGER      IS A MANAGER      (ASSETS OF
     PORTFOLIO             SHARES       (ASSETS OF RICS   (ASSETS OF PIVS   OTHER ACCOUNTS
     COUNSELOR            OWNED/1/      IN BILLIONS)/2/    IN BILLIONS)/3/   IN BILLIONS)/4/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Alan N. Berro               XX                XX                XX                XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James K. Dunton             XX                XX                XX                XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Gregory D. Johnson          XX                XX                XX                XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Robert G.                   XX                XX                XX                XX
 O'Donnell
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James F.                    XX                XX                XX                XX
 Rothenberg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ronald B. Morrow            XX                XX                XX                XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Eugene P. Stein             XX                XX                XX                XX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 21
<PAGE>

1   Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 - $10,000;
    $10,001 - $50,000; $50,001 - $100,000; $100,001 - $500,000; $500,001 -
    $1,000,000; and Over $1,000,000. The amounts listed include shares owned
    through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.
2   Indicates fund(s) where the portfolio counselor also has significant
    responsibilities for the day to day management of the fund(s). Assets noted are
    the total net assets of the registered investment companies and are not the
    total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount.
    No fund has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the fund.
3   Represents funds advised or sub-advised by Capital Research and Management
    Company and sold outside the United States and/ or fixed-income assets in
    institutional accounts managed by investment adviser subsidiaries of Capital
    Group International, Inc., an affiliate of Capital Research and Management
    Company. Assets noted are the total net assets of the funds or accounts and are
    not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower
    amount. No fund or account has an advisory fee that is based on the performance
    of the fund or account.
4   Reflects other professionally managed accounts held at companies affiliated
    with Capital Research and Management Company. Personal brokerage accounts of
    portfolio counselors and their families are not reflected.


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT -- The Investment Advisory Agreement (the
"Agreement") between the fund and the investment adviser will continue in effect
until August 31, 2010, unless sooner terminated, and may be renewed from year to
year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved
at least annually by (a) the board of directors, or by the vote of a majority
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the fund,
and (b) the vote of a majority of directors who are not parties to the Agreement
or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Agreement provides that the investment adviser has no liability to the fund for
its acts or omissions in the performance of its obligations to the fund not
involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations under the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that either
party has the right to terminate it, without penalty, upon 60 days' written
notice to the other party, and that the Agreement automatically terminates in
the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


In considering the renewal of the Agreement each year, the governance committee,
sitting as the contracts subcommittee, of the board of directors evaluates
information from several sources, including information provided by the business
manager and investment adviser in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act
and presents its recommendations to the full board of directors.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 22
<PAGE>


That information typically relates to: the nature, extent and quality of the
investment adviser's services; the fund's investment results on an absolute
basis and as compared with various indices and peer funds; the fund's advisory
fee and other expenses on absolute basis and as compared with various indices
and peer funds, as well as other funds advised by the investment adviser;
financial information concerning the investment adviser, including profitability
comparisons with certain publicly-held mutual fund managers; information with
respect to the sharing of economies of scale; compliance and regulatory matters;
fees charged by the investment adviser's affiliates to institutional clients;
and investment adviser compliance, regulatory and personnel matters. In
preparation for its most recent meeting, the committee reviewed such information
in advance. At the meeting, the members of the committee discussed the
information with representatives of the investment adviser, posed questions,
requested additional information concerning various matters and consulted in
executive session with independent counsel to the fund's independent directors.


The investment adviser manages the investment portfolio of the fund subject to
the policies established by the board of directors and places orders for the
fund's portfolio securities transactions. As compensation for its services, the
investment adviser receives a monthly fee, accrued daily, at the annual rate of
0.225% of the first $3 billion of the fund's net assets, 0.21% of net assets in
excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $8 billion, 0.20% of net assets in excess
of $8 billion but not exceeding $21 billion, 0.195% of net assets in excess of
$21 billion but not exceeding $34 billion, 0.19% of net assets in excess of $34
billion but not exceeding $55 billion, 0.185% of net assets in excess of $55
billion but not exceeding $71 billion, 0.18% of net assets in excess of $71
billion but not exceeding $89 billion and 0.177% of net assets in excess of $89
billion.


For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the investment adviser
was entitled to receive from the fund management fees of $XX, $160,915,000 and
$157,426,000, respectively. After giving effect to the management fee
waivers/expense reimbursements described below, the fund paid the investment
adviser management fees of $XX (a reduction of $XX), $144,823,000 (a reduction
of $16,092,000) and $141,683,000 (a reduction of $15,743,000) for the fiscal
years ended April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


For the period from September 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, the investment
adviser agreed to waive 5% of the management fees that it was otherwise entitled
to receive under the Agreement. From April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008,
this waiver increased to 10% of the management fees that the investment adviser
was otherwise entitled to receive. The waiver was discontinued effective January
1, 2009.


ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT -- The Administrative Services Agreement (the
"Administrative Agreement") between the fund and the investment adviser relating
to the fund's Class C, F, R and 529 shares will continue in effect until August
31, 2010, unless sooner terminated, and may be renewed from year to year
thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at
least annually by the vote of a majority of directors who are not parties to the
Administrative Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval. The fund may terminate the Administrative Agreement at any time
by vote of a majority of independent directors. The investment adviser has the
right to terminate the Administrative Agreement upon 60 days' written notice to
the fund. The Administrative Agreement automatically terminates in the event of
its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 23
<PAGE>


Under the Administrative Agreement, the investment adviser provides certain
transfer agent and administrative services for shareholders of the fund's Class
C and F shares, and Class R and 529 shares. The investment adviser may contract
with third parties, including American Funds Service Company,/(R)/ the fund's
Transfer Agent, to provide some of these services. Services include, but are not
limited to, shareholder account maintenance, transaction processing, tax
information reporting and shareholder and fund communications. In addition, the
investment adviser monitors, coordinates, oversees and assists with the
activities performed by third parties providing such services. For Class R-2
shares, the investment adviser has agreed to pay a portion of the fees payable
under the Administrative Agreement that would otherwise have been paid by the
fund. For the year ended April 30, 2009, the total fees paid by the investment
adviser were $214.


The investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual
rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily net assets for Class C, F, R (excluding
Class R-5 and R-6 shares) and 529 shares for administrative services provided to
these share classes. Administrative services fees are paid monthly and accrued
daily. The investment adviser uses a portion of this fee to compensate third
parties for administrative services provided to the fund. Of the remainder, the
investment adviser does not retain more than 0.05% of the average daily net
assets for each applicable share class. For Class R-5 and R-6 shares, the
administrative services fee is calculated at the annual rate of up to 0.10% and
0.05%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of such class. The
administrative services fee includes compensation for transfer agent and
shareholder services provided to the fund's Class C, F, R and 529 shares. In
addition to making administrative service fee payments to unaffiliated third
parties, the investment adviser also makes payments from the administrative
services fee to American Funds Service Company according to a fee schedule,
based principally on the number of accounts serviced, contained in a Shareholder
Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company. A
portion of the fees paid to American Funds Service Company for transfer agent
services is also paid directly from the relevant share class.


During the 2009 fiscal year, administrative services fees, gross of any payments
made by the investment adviser, were:




                                             ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               CLASS C                                   $XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS F-1                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS F-2                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CLASS 529-A                                  XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CLASS 529-B                                  XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CLASS 529-C                                  XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CLASS 529-E                                  XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            CLASS 529-F-1                                 XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS R-1                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS R-2                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS R-3                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS R-4                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CLASS R-5                                   XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 24
<PAGE>


PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION -- American Funds
Distributors,/(R)/ Inc. (the "Principal Underwriter") is the principal
underwriter of the fund's shares. The Principal Underwriter is located at 333
South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA
92618; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251; 8332 Woodfield Crossing
Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240; and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513.


The Principal Underwriter receives revenues relating to sales of the fund's
shares, as follows:


     .    For Class A and 529-A shares, the Principal Underwriter receives
          commission revenue consisting of the balance of the Class A and 529-A
          sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Principal
          Underwriter to investment dealers.

     .    For Class B and 529-B shares sold prior to April 21, 2009, the
          Principal Underwriter sold its rights to the 0.75%
          distribution-related portion of the 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as
          well as any contingent deferred sales charges, to a third party. The
          Principal Underwriter compensated investment dealers for sales of
          Class B and 529-B shares out of the proceeds of this sale and kept any
          amounts remaining after this compensation was paid.

     .    For Class C and 529-C shares, the Principal Underwriter receives any
          contingent deferred sales charges that apply during the first year
          after purchase.

In addition, the fund reimburses the Principal Underwriter for advancing
immediate service fees to qualified dealers and advisers upon the sale of Class
C and 529-C shares. The fund also reimbursed the Principal Underwriter for
advancing immediate service fees to qualified dealers on sales of Class B and
529-B shares prior to April 21, 2009. The fund also reimburses the Principal
Underwriter for service fees (and, in the case of Class 529-E shares,
commissions) paid on a quarterly basis to qualified dealers and advisers in
connection with investments in Class F-1, 529-F-1, 529-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4
shares.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 25
<PAGE>

Commissions, revenue or service fees retained by the Principal Underwriter after
allowances or compensation to dealers were:




                                                  COMMISSIONS,        ALLOWANCE OR
                                                     REVENUE          COMPENSATION
                            FISCAL YEAR/PERIOD  OR FEES RETAINED       TO DEALERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  CLASS A                          2009            $        XX         $        XX
                                   2008             13,480,000          58,574,000
                                   2007             16,591,000          72,726,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CLASS B                          2009                     XX                  XX
                                   2008                591,000           3,631,000
                                   2007                904,000           5,273,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  CLASS C                          2009                     XX                  XX
                                   2008                908,000           2,675,000
                                   2007                570,000           3,717,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-A                       2009                     XX                  XX
                                   2008                834,000           3,848,000
                                   2007                950,000           4,414,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-B                       2009                     XX                  XX
                                   2008                 76,000             554,000
                                   2007                 96,000             589,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS 529-C                       2009                     XX                  XX
                                   2008                 55,000             483,000
                                   2007                 15,000             555,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 26
<PAGE>


Plans of distribution -- The fund has adopted plans of distribution (the
"Plans") pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plans permit the fund to
expend amounts to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale
of fund shares, provided the fund's board of directors has approved the category
of expenses for which payment is being made.


Each Plan is specific to a particular share class of the fund. As the fund has
not adopted a Plan for Class F-2, Class R-5 or Class R-6, no 12b-1 fees are paid
from Class F-2, Class R-5 or Class R-6 share assets and the following disclosure
is not applicable to these share classes.


Payments under the Plans may be made for service-related and/or
distribution-related expenses. Service-related expenses include paying service
fees to qualified dealers. Distribution-related expenses include commissions
paid to qualified dealers. The amounts actually paid under the Plans for the
past fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the fund's average daily net
assets attributable to the applicable share class, are disclosed in the
prospectus under "Fees and expenses of the fund." Further information regarding
the amounts available under each Plan is in the "Plans of Distribution" section
of the prospectus.


Following is a brief description of the Plans:


     CLASS A AND 529-A -- For Class A and 529-A shares, up to 0.25% of the
     fund's average daily net assets attributable to such shares is reimbursed
     to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, and the
     balance available under the applicable Plan may be paid to the Principal
     Underwriter for distribution-related expenses. The fund may annually expend
     up to 0.25% for Class A shares and up to 0.50% for Class 529-A shares under
     the applicable Plan.

     Distribution-related expenses for Class A and 529-A shares include dealer
     commissions and wholesaler compensation paid on sales of shares of $1
     million or more purchased without a sales charge. Commissions on these "no
     load" purchases (which are described in further detail under the "Sales
     Charges" section of this statement of additional information) in excess of
     the Class A and 529-A Plan limitations and not reimbursed to the Principal
     Underwriter during the most recent fiscal quarter are recoverable for five
     quarters, provided that the reimbursement of such commissions does not
     cause the fund to exceed the annual expense limit. After five quarters,
     these commissions are not recoverable.

     CLASS B AND 529-B -- The Plans for Class B and 529-B shares provide for
     payments to the Principal Underwriter of up to 0.25% of the fund's average
     daily net assets attributable to such shares for paying service-related
     expenses and 0.75% for distribution-related expenses, which include the
     financing of commissions paid to qualified dealers.

     OTHER SHARE CLASSES (CLASS C, 529-C, F-1, 529-F-1, 529-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 AND
     R-4) -- The Plans for each of the other share classes that have adopted
     Plans provide for payments to the Principal Underwriter for paying
     service-related and distribution-related expenses of up to the following
     amounts of the fund's average daily net assets attributable to such shares:


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 27
<PAGE>



                                                                        TOTAL
                                           SERVICE    DISTRIBUTION    ALLOWABLE
                                           RELATED      RELATED         UNDER
                  SHARE CLASS            PAYMENTS/1/  PAYMENTS/1/    THE PLANS/2/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Class C                           0.25%        0.75%          1.00%
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class 529-C                       0.25         0.75           1.00
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class F-1                         0.25           --           0.50
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class 529-F-1                     0.25           --           0.50
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class 529-E                       0.25         0.25           0.75
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class R-1                         0.25         0.75           1.00
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class R-2                         0.25         0.50           1.00
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class R-3                         0.25         0.25           0.75
         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Class R-4                         0.25           --           0.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


          1  Amounts in these columns represent the amounts approved by the board of
             directors under the applicable Plan.
          2  The fund may annually expend the amounts set forth in this column under
             the current Plans with the approval of the board of directors.


During the 2009 fiscal year, 12b-1 expenses accrued and paid, and if applicable,
unpaid, were:




                                                      12B-1 UNPAID LIABILITY
                               12B-1 EXPENSES              OUTSTANDING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        CLASS A                     $XX                        $XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        CLASS B                      XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        CLASS C                      XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CLASS F-1                     XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CLASS 529-A                    XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CLASS 529-B                    XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CLASS 529-C                    XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CLASS 529-E                    XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     CLASS 529-F-1                   XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CLASS R-1                     XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CLASS R-2                     XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CLASS R-3                     XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       CLASS R-4                     XX                         XX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 28
<PAGE>


Approval of the Plans -- As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plans
(together with the Principal Underwriting Agreement) have been approved by the
full board of directors and separately by a majority of the independent
directors of the fund who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plans or the Principal Underwriting Agreement. In addition, the
selection and nomination of independent directors of the fund are committed to
the discretion of the independent directors during the existence of the Plans.


Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund include quality shareholder
services, savings to the fund in transfer agency costs, and benefits to the
investment process from growth or stability of assets. The Plans may not be
amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without
shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly by the board of
directors and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of directors.


FEE TO VIRGINIA COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN -- With respect to Class 529 Shares, as
compensation for its oversight and administration, Virginia College Savings Plan
receives a quarterly fee accrued daily and calculated at the annual rate of
0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 Shares of
the American Funds, 0.09% on net assets between $30 billion and $60 billion,
0.08% on net assets between $60 billion and $90 billion, 0.07% on net assets
between $90 billion and $120 billion, and 0.06% on net assets between $120
billion and $150 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and
calculated on the basis of average net assets of Class 529 Shares of the
American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter.


OTHER COMPENSATION TO DEALERS -- As of October 2008, the top dealers (or their
affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional
compensation (as described in the prospectus) include:

     AIG Advisors Group
          Advantage Capital Corporation
          AIG Financial Advisors, Inc.
          American General Securities Incorporated
          FSC Securities Corporation
          Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
     AXA Advisors, LLC
     Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.
     Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
     Commonwealth Financial Network
     Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc.
     Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
     Edward Jones
     Genworth Financial Securities Corporation
     Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.
     HTK / Janney Montgomery Group
          Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.
          Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
     ING Advisors Network Inc.
          Bancnorth Investment Group, Inc.
          Financial Network Investment Corporation
          Guaranty Brokerage Services, Inc.
          ING Financial Partners, Inc.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 29
<PAGE>


          Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
          Primevest Financial Services, Inc.
     Intersecurities / Transamerica
          InterSecurities, Inc.
          Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
     JJB Hilliard/PNC Bank
          J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.
          PNC Bank, National Association
          PNC Investments LLC
     Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
     LPL Group
          Associated Securities Corp.
          LPL Financial Corporation
          Mutual Service Corporation
          Uvest Investment Services
          Waterstone Financial Group, Inc.
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
     Metlife Enterprises
          Metlife Securities Inc.
          New England Securities
          Tower Square Securities
          Walnut Street Securities, Inc.
     MML Investors Services, Inc.
     Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
     Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated
     National Planning Holdings Inc.
          Invest Financial Corporation
          Investment Centers of America, Inc.
          National Planning Corporation
          SII Investments, Inc.
     NFP Securities, Inc.
     Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
     Park Avenue Securities LLC
     Princor Financial Services Corporation
     Raymond James Group
          Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
          Raymond James Financial Services Inc.
     RBC Dain Rauscher Inc.
     Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
     Securian / C.R.I.
          CRI Securities, LLC
          Securian Financial Services, Inc.
     Smith Barney
          Legg Mason
          Primerica Financial Services
     U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
     UBS Financial Services Inc.
     Wachovia Group
          A. G. Edwards, a Division of Wachovia Securities, LLC
          First Clearing LLC


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 30
<PAGE>


          Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC
          Wachovia Securities Investment Services Group
          Wachovia Securities Latin American Channel
          Wachovia Securities Private Client Group
     Wells Fargo Investments, LLC

                      EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's
portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities
exchange or an over-the-counter market are effected through broker-dealers who
receive commissions for their services. Generally, commissions relating to
securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than commissions relating
to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation.
Equity securities may also be purchased from underwriters at prices that include
underwriting fees. Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally
made with an issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal with no stated
brokerage commission. The price paid to an underwriter for fixed-income
securities includes underwriting fees. Prices for fixed-income securities in
secondary trades usually include undisclosed compensation to the market-maker
reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the securities.


In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser strives to obtain "best
execution" (the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the
circumstances) for the fund's portfolio transactions, taking into account a
variety of factors. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the
nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold,
the cost, quality and reliability of the executions and the broker-dealer's
ability to offer liquidity and anonymity. The investment adviser considers these
factors, which involve qualitative judgments, when selecting broker-dealers and
execution venues for fund portfolio transactions. The investment adviser views
best execution as a process that should be evaluated over time as part of an
overall relationship with particular broker-dealer firms rather than on a
trade-by-trade basis. The fund does not consider the investment adviser as
having an obligation to obtain the lowest commission rate available for a
portfolio transaction to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative
considerations.


The investment adviser may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers
who provide certain brokerage and/or investment research services to it, but
only when in the investment adviser's judgment the broker-dealer is capable of
providing best execution for that transaction. The receipt of these services
permits the investment adviser to supplement its own research and analysis and
makes available the views of, and information from, individuals and the research
staffs of other firms. Such views and information may be provided in the form of
written reports, telephone contacts and meetings with securities analysts. These
services may include, among other things, reports and other communications with
respect to individual companies, industries, countries and regions, economic,
political and legal developments, as well as scheduling meetings with corporate
executives and seminars and conferences related to relevant subject matters. The
investment adviser considers these services to be supplemental to its own
internal research efforts and therefore the receipt of investment research from
broker-dealers does not tend to reduce the expenses involved in the investment
adviser's research efforts. If broker-dealers were to discontinue providing such
services it is unlikely the investment adviser would attempt to replicate them
on its own, in part because they would then no longer provide an independent,
supplemental viewpoint. Nonetheless, if it were to attempt to do so, the
investment adviser would incur substantial additional costs. Research services
that the investment adviser


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 31
<PAGE>


receives from broker-dealers may be used by the investment adviser in servicing
the fund and other funds and accounts that it advises; however, not all such
services will necessarily benefit the fund.


The investment adviser may pay commissions in excess of what other
broker-dealers might have charged - including on an execution-only basis - for
certain portfolio transactions in recognition of brokerage and/or investment
research services provided by a broker-dealer. In this regard, the investment
adviser has adopted a brokerage allocation procedure consistent with the
requirements of Section 28(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Section 28(e) permits an investment adviser to cause an account to pay a higher
commission to a broker-dealer that provides certain brokerage and/or investment
research services to the investment adviser, if the investment adviser makes a
good faith determination that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the
value of the services provided by such broker-dealer to the investment adviser
in terms of that particular transaction or the investment adviser's overall
responsibility to the fund and other accounts that it advises. Certain brokerage
and/or investment research services may not necessarily benefit all accounts
paying commissions to each such broker-dealer; therefore, the investment adviser
assesses the reasonableness of commissions in light of the total brokerage and
investment research services provided by each particular broker-dealer.


In accordance with its internal brokerage allocation procedure, each equity
investment division of the investment adviser periodically assesses the
brokerage and investment research services provided by each broker-dealer from
which it receives such services. Using its judgment, each equity investment
division of the investment adviser then creates lists with suggested levels of
commissions for particular broker-dealers and provides those lists to its
trading desks. Neither the investment adviser nor the fund incurs any obligation
to any broker-dealer to pay for research by generating trading commissions. The
actual level of business received by any broker-dealer may be less than the
suggested level of commissions and can, and often does, exceed the suggested
level in the normal course of business. As part of its ongoing relationships
with broker-dealers, the investment adviser routinely meets with firms,
typically at the firm's request, to discuss the level and quality of the
brokerage and research services provided, as well as the perceived value and
cost of such services. In valuing the brokerage and investment research services
the investment adviser receives from broker-dealers in connection with its good
faith determination of reasonableness, the investment adviser does not attribute
a dollar value to such services, but rather takes various factors into
consideration, including the quantity, quality and usefulness of the services to
the investment adviser.


The investment adviser seeks, on an ongoing basis, to determine what the
reasonable levels of commission rates are in the marketplace. The investment
adviser takes various considerations into account when evaluating such
reasonableness, including, (a) rates quoted by broker-dealers, (b) the size of a
particular transaction in terms of the number of shares and dollar amount, (c)
the complexity of a particular transaction, (d) the nature and character of the
markets on which a particular trade takes place, (e) the ability of a
broker-dealer to provide anonymity while executing trades, (f) the ability of a
broker-dealer to execute large trades while minimizing market impact, (g) the
extent to which a broker-dealer has put its own capital at risk, (h) the level
and type of business done with a particular broker-dealer over a period of time,
(i) historical commission rates, and (j) commission rates that other
institutional investors are paying.


When executing portfolio transactions in the same equity security for the funds
and accounts, or portions of funds and accounts, over which the investment
adviser, through its equity investment divisions, has investment discretion,
each of the investment divisions will normally aggregate its


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 32
<PAGE>


respective purchases or sales and execute them as part of the same transaction
or series of transactions. When executing portfolio transactions in the same
fixed-income security for the fund and the other funds or accounts over which it
or one of its affiliated companies has investment discretion, the investment
adviser will normally aggregate such purchases or sales and execute them as part
of the same transaction or series of transactions. The objective of aggregating
purchases and sales of a security is to allocate executions in an equitable
manner among the funds and other accounts that have concurrently authorized a
transaction in such security.


The investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions
with broker-dealers who have sold shares of the funds managed by the investment
adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not consider whether a
broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or
its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund's portfolio
transactions.


Brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions for the fiscal years ended
April 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $XX, $19,435,000 and $42,220,000. The
increase in commissions paid in 2007 as compared with 2008 was primarily due to
a large principal program transaction executed by the fund in fiscal year ended
April 30, 2007, which allowed the fund to trade in excess of $2.2 billion of
securities at pre-negotiated prices.


The fund is required to disclose information regarding investments in the
securities of its "regular" broker-dealers (or parent companies of its regular
broker-dealers) that derive more than 15% of their revenue from broker-dealer,
underwriter or investment adviser activities. A regular broker-dealer is (a) one
of the 10 broker-dealers that received from the fund the largest amount of
brokerage commissions by participating, directly or indirectly, in the fund's
portfolio transactions during the fund's most recent fiscal year; (b) one of the
10 broker-dealers that engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of
portfolio transactions of the fund during the fund's most recent fiscal year; or
(c) one of the 10 broker-dealers that sold the largest amount of securities of
the fund during the fund's most recent fiscal year.


At the end of the fund's most recent fiscal year, the fund's regular
broker-dealers included XXX. As of the fund's most recent fiscal year-end, the
fund held equity securities of XXX in the amount of $XXX and debt securities of
XXX in the amount of $XXX.


During fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 Johnston, Lemon & Co. Incorporated
received no commissions for executing portfolio transactions for the fund.
Johnston, Lemon & Co. Incorporated will not participate in commissions paid by
the fund to other brokers or dealers and will not receive any reciprocal
business, directly or indirectly, as a result of such commissions.


                        DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The fund's investment adviser, on behalf of the fund, has adopted policies and
procedures with respect to the disclosure of information about fund portfolio
securities. These policies and procedures have been reviewed by the fund's board
of directors and compliance will be periodically assessed by the board in
connection with reporting from the fund's Chief Compliance Officer.


Under these policies and procedures, the fund's complete list of portfolio
holdings available for public disclosure, dated as of the end of each calendar
quarter, is permitted to be posted on the


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 33
<PAGE>


American Funds website no earlier than the tenth day after such calendar
quarter. In practice, the public portfolio typically is posted on the website
approximately 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter. In addition, the
fund's list of top 10 equity portfolio holdings measured by percentage of net
assets invested, dated as of the end of each calendar month, is permitted to be
posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the tenth day after such
month. Such portfolio holdings information may then be disclosed to any person
pursuant to an ongoing arrangement to disclose portfolio holdings information to
such person no earlier than one day after the day on which the information is
posted on the American Funds website. The fund's business manager, custodian,
outside counsel and auditor, each of which requires portfolio holdings
information for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes, may receive the
information earlier.


Affiliated persons of the fund, including officers of the fund and employees of
the investment adviser and its affiliates, who receive portfolio holdings
information are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling
of such information pursuant to applicable codes of ethics, including
requirements not to trade in securities based on confidential and proprietary
investment information, to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and
to preclear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as
applicable. For more information on these restrictions and limitations, please
see the "Code of Ethics" section in this statement of additional information and
the Code of Ethics. Third party service providers of the fund, as described in
this statement of additional information, receiving such information are subject
to confidentiality obligations. When portfolio holdings information is disclosed
other than through the American Funds website to persons not affiliated with the
fund (which, as described above, would typically occur no earlier than one day
after the day on which the information is posted on the American Funds website),
such persons will be bound by agreements (including confidentiality agreements)
or fiduciary obligations that restrict and limit their use of the information to
legitimate business uses only. Neither the fund nor its investment adviser or
any affiliate thereof receives compensation or other consideration in connection
with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.


Subject to board policies, the authority to disclose a fund's portfolio
holdings, and to establish policies with respect to such disclosure, resides
with the appropriate investment-related committees of the fund's investment
adviser. In exercising their authority, the committees determine whether
disclosure of information about the fund's portfolio securities is appropriate
and in the best interest of fund shareholders. The investment adviser has
implemented policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest that may
arise from the disclosure of fund holdings. For example, the investment
adviser's code of ethics specifically requires, among other things, the
safeguarding of information about fund holdings and contains prohibitions
designed to prevent the personal use of confidential, proprietary investment
information in a way that would conflict with fund transactions. In addition,
the investment adviser believes that its current policy of not selling portfolio
holdings information and not disclosing such information to unaffiliated third
parties until such holdings have been made public on the American Funds website
(other than to certain fund service providers for legitimate business and fund
oversight purposes) helps reduce potential conflicts of interest between fund
shareholders and the investment adviser and its affiliates.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 34
<PAGE>


                                PRICE OF SHARES

Shares are purchased at the offering price or sold at the net asset value price
next determined after the purchase or sell order is received and accepted by the
fund or the Transfer Agent; the offering or net asset value price is effective
for orders received prior to the time of determination of the net asset value
and, in the case of orders placed with dealers or their authorized designees,
accepted by the Principal Underwriter, the Transfer Agent, a dealer or any of
their designees. In the case of orders sent directly to the fund or the Transfer
Agent, an investment dealer should be indicated. The dealer is responsible for
promptly transmitting purchase and sell orders to the Principal Underwriter.


Orders received by the investment dealer or authorized designee, the Transfer
Agent or the fund after the time of the determination of the net asset value
will be entered at the next calculated offering price. Note that investment
dealers or other intermediaries may have their own rules about share
transactions and may have earlier cut-off times than those of the fund. For more
information about how to purchase through your intermediary, contact your
intermediary directly.


Prices that appear in the newspaper do not always indicate prices at which you
will be purchasing and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally
reflect the previous day's closing price, while purchases and redemptions are
made at the next calculated price. The price you pay for shares, the offering
price, is based on the net asset value per share, which is calculated once daily
as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, which is the normal close of trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, each day the Exchange is open. If, for example,
the Exchange closes at 1 p.m., the fund's share price would still be determined
as of 4 p.m. New York time. The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on
weekends and on the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day; Presidents' Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day;
Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day. Each share class of the fund has a separately
calculated net asset value (and share price).


All portfolio securities of funds advised by Capital Research and Management
Company (other than money market funds) are valued, and the net asset values per
share for each share class are determined, as indicated below. The fund follows
standard industry practice by typically reflecting changes in its holdings of
portfolio securities on the first business day following a portfolio trade.


Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are valued at the official
closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on
which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid
price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market
in which the security trades. Fixed-income securities are valued at prices
obtained from one or more independent pricing vendors, when such prices are
available; however, in circumstances where the investment adviser deems it
appropriate to do so, such securities will be valued in good faith at the mean
quoted bid and asked prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid
prices, if asked prices are not available) or at prices for securities of
comparable maturity, quality and type. The pricing vendors base bond prices on,
among other things, valuation matrices which may incorporate dealer-supplied
valuations, electronic data processing techniques and an evaluation of the yield
curve as of approximately 3 p.m. New York time. The fund's investment adviser
performs certain checks on these prices prior to calculation of the fund's net
asset value.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 35
<PAGE>


Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics (e.g., convertible
bonds, preferred stocks, units comprised of more than one type of security,
etc.), or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are
valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income
securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the
investment adviser.

Securities with original maturities of one year or less having 60 days or less
to maturity are amortized to maturity based on their cost if acquired within 60
days of maturity, or if already held on the 60th day, based on the value
determined on the 61st day. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of
representative quoted bid and asked prices.


Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of currencies other than U.S.
dollars are translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value of
the fund's shares into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates.


Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or
are considered unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith
under policies approved by the fund's board. Subject to board oversight, the
fund's board has delegated the obligation to make fair valuation determinations
to a valuation committee established by the fund's investment adviser. The board
receives regular reports describing fair-valued securities and the valuation
methods used.


The valuation committee has adopted guidelines and procedures (consistent with
SEC rules and guidance) to consider certain relevant principles and factors when
making all fair value determinations. As a general principle, securities lacking
readily available market quotations, or that have quotations that are considered
unreliable by the investment adviser, are valued in good faith by the valuation
committee based upon what the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon their
current sale. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not
actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that
would have been used had greater market activity occurred. The valuation
committee considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely
available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular
security, such as the type and cost of the security, contractual or legal
restrictions on resale of the security, relevant financial or business
developments of the issuer, actively traded similar or related securities,
conversion or exchange rights on the security, related corporate actions,
significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security and
changes in overall market conditions.


Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments
and is identical in all respects to each other class, except for differences
relating to distribution, service and other charges and expenses, certain voting
rights, differences relating to eligible investors, the designation of each
class of shares, conversion features and exchange privileges. Expenses
attributable to the fund, but not to a particular class of shares, are borne by
each class pro rata based on relative aggregate net assets of the classes.
Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are borne by that class of
shares. Liabilities, including accruals of taxes and other expense items
attributable to particular share classes, are deducted from total assets
attributable to such share classes.


Net assets so obtained for each share class are then divided by the total number
of shares outstanding of that share class, and the result, rounded to the
nearest cent, is the net asset value per share for that share class.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 36
<PAGE>


                            TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS

FUND TAXATION -- The fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). A
regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the Code is
required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment
company taxable income (including the excess of net short-term capital gain over
net long-term capital losses) and generally is not subject to federal income tax
to the extent that it distributes annually 100% of its investment company
taxable income and net realized capital gains in the manner required under the
Code. The fund intends to distribute annually all of its investment company
taxable income and net realized capital gains and therefore does not expect to
pay federal income tax, although in certain circumstances the fund may determine
that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than that amount.


To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code,
the fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain
publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of
securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited
to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to
the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify
its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the
market value of the fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government
securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other
securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of
any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the
fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and
(ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities
of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of
other regulated investment companies), two or more issuers which the fund
controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.


Under the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on the excess of a
regulated investment company's "required distribution" for the calendar year
ending within the regulated investment company's taxable year over the
"distributed amount" for such calendar year. The term "required distribution"
means the sum of (a) 98% of ordinary income (generally net investment income)
for the calendar year, (b) 98% of capital gain (both long-term and short-term)
for the one-year period ending on October 31 (as though the one-year period
ending on October 31 were the regulated investment company's taxable year) and
(c) the sum of any untaxed, undistributed net investment income and net capital
gains of the regulated investment company for prior periods. The term
"distributed amount" generally means the sum of (a) amounts actually distributed
by the fund from its current year's ordinary income and capital gain net income
and (b) any amount on which the fund pays income tax during the periods
described above. Although the fund intends to distribute its net investment
income and net capital gains so as to avoid excise tax liability, the fund may
determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute a lesser
amount.


The following information may not apply to you if you hold fund shares in a
tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan or education savings account.
Please see your tax adviser for more information.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 37
<PAGE>


DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS -- Dividends and capital gain
distributions on fund shares will be reinvested in shares of the fund of the
same class, unless shareholders indicate in writing that they wish to receive
them in cash or in shares of the same class of other American Funds, as provided
in the prospectus. Dividends and capital gain distributions by 529 share classes
will be automatically reinvested.


Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital
gains to  shareholders will be taxable whether received in shares or in cash,
unless such shareholders are exempt from taxation. Shareholders electing to
receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis
for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset
value of that share on the reinvestment date. Dividends and capital gain
distributions by the fund to a tax-deferred retirement plan account are not
taxable currently.


     DIVIDENDS -- The fund intends to follow the practice of distributing
     substantially all of its investment company taxable income. Investment
     company taxable income generally includes dividends, interest, net
     short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, and
     certain foreign currency gains, if any, less expenses and certain foreign
     currency losses. To the extent the fund invests in stock of domestic and
     certain foreign corporations and meets the applicable holding period
     requirement, it may receive "qualified dividends". The fund will designate
     the amount of "qualified dividends" to its shareholders in a notice sent
     within 60 days of the close of its fiscal year and will report "qualified
     dividends" to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV.

     Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange
     rates that occur between the time the fund accrues receivables or
     liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the fund
     actually collects such receivables, or pays such liabilities, generally are
     treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of
     debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of
     certain futures contracts, forward contracts and options, gains or losses
     attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the
     date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition
     are also treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains or losses, referred
     to under the Code as Section 988 gains or losses, may increase or decrease
     the amount of the fund's investment company taxable income to be
     distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.


     If the fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment
     companies, the fund may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a
     portion of any "excess distribution" with respect to, or gain from the
     disposition of, such stock. The tax would be determined by allocating such
     distribution or gain ratably to each day of the fund's holding period for
     the stock. The distribution or gain so allocated to any taxable year of the
     fund, other than the taxable year of the excess distribution or
     disposition, would be taxed to the fund at the highest ordinary income rate
     in effect for such year, and the tax would be further increased by an
     interest charge to reflect the value of the tax deferral deemed to have
     resulted from the ownership of the foreign company's stock. Any amount of
     distribution or gain allocated to the taxable year of the distribution or
     disposition would be included in the fund's investment company taxable
     income and, accordingly, would not be taxable to the fund to the extent
     distributed by the fund as a dividend to its shareholders.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 38
<PAGE>


     To avoid such tax and interest, the fund intends to elect to treat these
     securities as sold on the last day of its fiscal year and recognize any
     gains for tax purposes at that time. Under this election, deductions for
     losses are allowable only to the extent of any prior recognized gains, and
     both gains and losses will be treated as ordinary income or loss. The fund
     will be required to distribute any resulting income, even though it has not
     sold the security and received cash to pay such distributions. Upon
     disposition of these securities, any gain recognized is treated as ordinary
     income and loss is treated as ordinary loss to the extent of any prior
     recognized gain.


     Dividends from domestic corporations are expected to comprise some portion
     of the fund's gross income. To the extent that such dividends constitute
     any of the fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of
     the fund may be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by
     corporations. Corporate shareholders will be informed of the portion of
     dividends that so qualifies. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to
     the extent that either the fund shares, or the underlying shares of stock
     held by the fund, with respect to which dividends are received, are treated
     as debt-financed under federal income tax law, and is eliminated if the
     shares are deemed to have been held by the shareholder or the fund, as the
     case may be, for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on
     the date that is 45 days before the date on which the shares become
     ex-dividend. Capital gain distributions are not eligible for the
     dividends-received deduction.


     A portion of the difference between the issue price of zero coupon
     securities and their face value (original issue discount) is considered to
     be income to the fund each year, even though the fund will not receive cash
     interest payments from these securities. This original issue discount
     (imputed income) will comprise a part of the investment company taxable
     income of the fund that must be distributed to shareholders in order to
     maintain the qualification of the fund as a regulated investment company
     and to avoid federal income taxation at the level of the fund.


     The price of a bond purchased after its original issuance may reflect
     market discount which, depending on the particular circumstances, may
     affect the tax character and amount of income required to be recognized by
     a fund holding the bond. In determining whether a bond is purchased with
     market discount, certain de minimis rules apply.


     Dividend and interest income received by the fund from sources outside the
     United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such
     foreign jurisdictions. Tax conventions between certain countries and the
     United States, however, may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes. Some
     foreign countries impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments
     by foreign investors.


     CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS -- The fund also intends to follow the practice
     of distributing the entire excess of net realized long-term capital gains
     over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal
     year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of
     the fund.

     If any net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital
     losses are retained by the fund for reinvestment, requiring federal income
     taxes to be paid thereon by the fund, the fund intends to elect to treat
     such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a result,
     each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 39
<PAGE>


     capital gains taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 15% capital
     gains rate, will be able to claim a pro rata share of federal income taxes
     paid by the fund on such gains as a credit against personal federal income
     tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis on
     fund shares by the difference between a pro rata share of the retained
     gains and such shareholder's related tax credit.


SHAREHOLDER TAXATION -- In January of each year, individual shareholders holding
fund shares in taxable accounts will receive a statement of the federal income
tax status of all distributions. Shareholders of the fund also may be subject to
state and local taxes on distributions received from the fund.


     DIVIDENDS -- Fund dividends are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
     All or a portion of a fund's dividend distribution may be a "qualified
     dividend." If the fund meets the applicable holding period requirement, it
     will distribute dividends derived from qualified corporation dividends to
     shareholders as qualified dividends. Interest income from bonds and money
     market instruments and nonqualified foreign dividends will be distributed
     to shareholders as nonqualified fund dividends. The fund will report on
     Form 1099-DIV the amount of each shareholder's dividend that may be treated
     as a qualified dividend. If a shareholder other than a corporation meets
     the requisite holding period requirement, qualified dividends are taxable
     at a maximum rate of 15%.

     CAPITAL GAINS -- Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains
     over net short-term capital losses that the fund properly designates as
     "capital gain dividends" generally will be taxable as long-term capital
     gain. Regardless of the length of time the shares of the fund have been
     held by a shareholder, a capital gain distribution by the fund is subject
     to a maximum tax rate of 15%. Any loss realized upon the redemption of
     shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less from the date
     of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
     of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during
     such six-month period.

Distributions by the fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the
fund's shares. Investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares
just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time
includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior
to a distribution will subsequently receive a partial return of their investment
capital upon payment of the distribution, which will be taxable to them.


Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of other American Funds,
may result in federal, state and local tax consequences (gain or loss) to the
shareholder.


If a shareholder exchanges or otherwise disposes of shares of the fund within 90
days of having acquired such shares, and if, as a result of having acquired
those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced sales charge for
shares of the fund, or of a different fund, the sales charge previously incurred
in acquiring the fund's shares will not be taken into account (to the extent
such previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges) for
the purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss on the exchange, but will
be treated as having been incurred in the acquisition of such other fund(s).


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 40
<PAGE>


Any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of shares of the fund will be
disallowed to the extent substantially identical shares are reacquired within
the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares
are disposed of. Any loss disallowed under this rule will be added to the
shareholder's tax basis in the new shares purchased.


The fund will be required to report to the IRS all distributions of investment
company taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the
redemption or exchange of fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt
shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the
Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gains and
proceeds from the redemption or exchange of a regulated investment company may
be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt
U.S. shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer
identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status
under the federal income tax law. Withholding may also be required if the fund
is notified by the IRS or a broker that the taxpayer identification number
furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously
failed to report interest or dividend income. If the withholding provisions are
applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or
reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be
withheld.


The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and
U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). Each shareholder who is
not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of
ownership of shares of the fund, including the possibility that such a
shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a
lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on dividend income received by
the shareholder.


Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal,
state and local tax law in light of their particular situation.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 41
<PAGE>


UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL REFERENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO CLASS A, B, C
OR F-1 SHARES ALSO REFER TO THE CORRESPONDING CLASS 529-A, 529-B, 529-C OR
529-F-1 SHARES. CLASS 529 SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD ALSO REFER TO THE APPLICABLE
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION FOR INFORMATION ON POLICIES AND SERVICES SPECIFICALLY
RELATING TO THESE ACCOUNTS. SHAREHOLDERS HOLDING SHARES THROUGH AN ELIGIBLE
RETIREMENT PLAN SHOULD CONTACT THEIR PLAN'S ADMINISTRATOR OR RECORDKEEPER FOR
INFORMATION REGARDING PURCHASES, SALES AND EXCHANGES.

                        PURCHASE AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES

PURCHASES BY INDIVIDUALS -- As described in the prospectus, you may generally
open an account and purchase fund shares by contacting a financial adviser or
investment dealer authorized to sell the fund's shares. You may make investments
by any of the following means:


     CONTACTING YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER -- Deliver or mail a check to your
     financial adviser.

     BY MAIL -- For initial investments, you may mail a check, made payable to
     the fund, directly to the address indicated on the account application.
     Please indicate an investment dealer on the account application. You may
     make additional investments by filling out the "Account Additions" form at
     the bottom of a recent account statement and mailing the form, along with a
     check made payable to the fund, using the envelope provided with your
     account statement.

     The amount of time it takes for us to receive regular U.S. postal mail may
     vary and there is no assurance that we will receive such mail on the day
     you expect. Mailing addresses for regular U.S. postal mail can be found in
     the prospectus. To send investments or correspondence to us via overnight
     mail or courier service, use either of the following addresses:

           American Funds
           8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd.
           Indianapolis, IN 46240-2482

           American Funds
           5300 Robin Hood Rd.
           Norfolk, VA  23513-2407

     BY TELEPHONE -- Using the American FundsLine. Please see the "Shareholder
     account services and privileges" section of this statement of additional
     information for more information regarding this service.

     BY INTERNET -- Using americanfunds.com. Please see the "Shareholder account
     services and privileges" section of this statement of additional
     information for more information regarding this service.

     BY WIRE -- If you are making a wire transfer, instruct your bank to wire
     funds to:

           Wells Fargo Bank
           ABA Routing No. 121000248
           Account No. 4600-076178


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 42
<PAGE>


           Your bank should include the following information when wiring funds:

           For credit to the account of:
           American Funds Service Company
           (fund's name)

           For further credit to:
           (shareholder's fund account number)
           (shareholder's name)

     You may contact American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 if you have
     questions about making wire transfers.

OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION -- The Principal Underwriter will not knowingly sell
shares of the fund directly or indirectly to any person or entity, where, after
the sale, such person or entity would own beneficially directly or indirectly
more than 3% of the outstanding shares of the fund without the consent of a
majority of the fund's board.


Class 529 shares may be purchased only through CollegeAmerica by investors
establishing qualified higher education savings accounts. Class 529-E shares may
be purchased only by investors participating in CollegeAmerica through an
eligible employer plan. Class R-5 shares are also available to clients of the
Personal Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust Company who do
not have an intermediary associated with their accounts. In addition, the
American Funds state tax-exempt funds are qualified for sale only in certain
jurisdictions, and tax-exempt funds in general should not serve as retirement
plan investments. The fund and the Principal Underwriter reserve the right to
reject any purchase order.


Class R-5 and R-6 shares may be made available to certain charitable foundations
organized and maintained by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates.


Beginning May 1, 2009, cash investments received without investment instructions
will be invested in Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund (rather
than The Cash Management Trust of America) pursuant to the policies described in
the "Purchase and exchange of shares" section of the prospectus.


PURCHASE MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS -- All investments are subject to the purchase
minimums and maximums described in the prospectus. As noted in the prospectus,
purchase minimums may be waived or reduced in certain cases.


In the case of American Funds non-tax-exempt funds, the initial purchase minimum
of $25 may be waived for the following account types:


     .    Payroll deduction retirement plan accounts (such as, but not limited
          to, 403(b), 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP and deferred compensation plan
          accounts); and

     .    Employer-sponsored CollegeAmerica accounts.

The following account types may be established without meeting the initial
purchase minimum:


     .    Retirement accounts that are funded with employer contributions; and


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 43
<PAGE>


     .    Accounts that are funded with monies set by court decree.

The following account types may be established without meeting the initial
purchase minimum, but shareholders wishing to invest in two or more funds must
meet the normal initial purchase minimum of each fund:


     .    Accounts that are funded with (a) transfers of assets, (b) rollovers
          from retirement plans, (c) rollovers from 529 college savings plans or
          (d) required minimum distribution automatic exchanges; and

     .    American Funds money market fund accounts registered in the name of
          clients of Capital Guardian Trust Company's Personal Investment
          Management group.

Certain accounts held on the fund's books, known as omnibus accounts, contain
multiple underlying accounts that are invested in shares of the fund. These
underlying accounts are maintained by entities such as financial intermediaries
and are subject to the applicable initial purchase minimums as described in the
prospectus and this statement of additional information. However, in the case
where the entity maintaining these accounts aggregates the accounts' purchase
orders for fund shares, such accounts are not required to meet the fund's
minimum amount for subsequent purchases.


EXCHANGES -- You may only exchange shares into other American Funds within the
same share class. However, exchanges from Class A shares of The Cash Management
Trust of America or American Funds Money Market Fund may be made to Class C
shares of other American Funds for dollar cost averaging purposes. Exchanges are
not permitted from Class A shares of The Cash Management Trust of America or
American Funds Money Market Fund to Class C shares of Intermediate Bond Fund of
America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America or Short-Term Bond Fund of
America. Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment requirements
of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies. However, exchanges
of shares from American Funds money market funds are subject to applicable sales
charges on the fund being purchased, unless the money market fund shares were
acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or by reinvestment or
cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. Exchanges of
Class F shares generally may only be made through fee-based programs of
investment firms that have special agreements with the fund's distributor and
certain registered investment advisers.


You may exchange shares of other classes by contacting the Transfer Agent, by
contacting your investment dealer or financial adviser, by using American
FundsLine or americanfunds.com, or by telephoning 800/421-0180 toll-free, or
faxing (see "American Funds Service Company service areas" in the prospectus for
the appropriate fax numbers) the Transfer Agent. For more information, see
"Shareholder account services and privileges" in this statement of additional
information. THESE TRANSACTIONS HAVE THE SAME TAX CONSEQUENCES AS ORDINARY SALES
AND PURCHASES.


Shares held in employer-sponsored retirement plans may be exchanged into other
American Funds by contacting your plan administrator or recordkeeper. Exchange
redemptions and purchases are processed simultaneously at the share prices next
determined after the exchange order is received (see "Price of shares" in this
statement of additional information).


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 44
<PAGE>


FREQUENT TRADING OF FUND SHARES -- As noted in the prospectus, certain
redemptions may trigger a purchase block lasting 30 calendar days under the
fund's "purchase blocking policy." Under this policy, systematic redemptions
will not trigger a purchase block and systematic purchases will not be
prevented. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for
example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention
escrow share redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular
periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and
capital gain distributions.


OTHER POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY -- In addition to implementing purchase
blocks, American Funds Service Company will monitor for other types of activity
that could potentially be harmful to the American Funds - for example,
short-term trading activity in multiple funds. When identified, American Funds
Service Company will request that the shareholder discontinue the activity. If
the activity continues, American Funds Service Company will freeze the
shareholder account to prevent all activity other than redemptions of fund
shares.


MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES

     If you wish to "move" your investment between share classes (within the
     same fund or between different funds), we generally will process your
     request as an exchange of the shares you currently hold for shares in the
     new class or fund. Below is more information about how sales charges are
     handled for various scenarios.

     EXCHANGING CLASS B SHARES FOR CLASS A SHARES -- If you exchange Class B
     shares for Class A shares during the contingent deferred sales charge
     period you are responsible for paying any applicable deferred sales charges
     attributable to those Class B shares, but you will not be required to pay a
     Class A sales charge. If, however, you exchange your Class B shares for
     Class A shares after the contingent deferred sales charge period, you are
     responsible for paying any applicable Class A sales charges.

     EXCHANGING CLASS C SHARES FOR CLASS A SHARES -- If you exchange Class C
     shares for Class A shares, you are still responsible for paying any Class C
     contingent deferred sales charges and applicable Class A sales charges.

     EXCHANGING CLASS C SHARES FOR CLASS F SHARES -- If you are part of a
     qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class C shares
     for Class F shares to be held in the program, you are still responsible for
     paying any applicable Class C contingent deferred sales charges.

     EXCHANGING CLASS F SHARES FOR CLASS A SHARES -- You can exchange Class F
     shares held in a qualified fee-based program for Class A shares without
     paying an initial Class A sales charge if all of the following requirements
     are met: (a) you are leaving or have left the fee-based program, (b) you
     have held the Class F shares in the program for at least one year, and (c)
     you notify American Funds Service Company of your request. If you have
     already redeemed your Class F shares, the foregoing requirements apply and
     you must purchase Class A shares within 90 days after redeeming your Class
     F shares to receive the Class A shares without paying an initial Class A
     sales charge.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 45
<PAGE>


     EXCHANGING CLASS A SHARES FOR CLASS F SHARES -- If you are part of a
     qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class A shares
     for Class F shares to be held in the program, any Class A sales charges
     (including contingent deferred sales charges) that you paid or are payable
     will not be credited back to your account.

     EXCHANGING CLASS A SHARES FOR CLASS R SHARES -- Provided it is eligible to
     invest in Class R shares, a retirement plan currently invested in Class A
     shares may exchange its shares for Class R shares. Any Class A sales
     charges that the retirement plan previously paid will not be credited back
     to the plan's account.

     EXCHANGING CLASS F-1 SHARES FOR CLASS F-2 SHARES -- If you are part of a
     qualified fee-based program that offers Class F-2 shares, you may exchange
     your Class F-1 shares for Class F-2 shares to be held in the program.

     MOVING BETWEEN OTHER SHARE CLASSES -- If you desire to move your investment
     between share classes and the particular scenario is not described in this
     statement of additional information, please contact American Funds Service
     Company at 800/421-0180 for more information.

     NON-REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS -- Automatic conversions described in the
     prospectus will be non-reportable for tax purposes. In addition, except in
     the case of a movement between a 529 share class and a non-529 share class,
     an exchange of shares from one share class of a fund to another share class
     of the same fund will be treated as a non-reportable exchange for tax
     purposes, provided that the exchange request is received in writing by
     American Funds Service Company and processed as a single transaction.

                                 SALES CHARGES

CLASS A PURCHASES


     PURCHASES BY CERTAIN 403(B) PLANS

     A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares unless such plan was
     invested in Class A or C shares prior to January 1, 2009.

     Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as an
     individual-type plan for sales charge purposes prior to January 1, 2009,
     may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales
     charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as
     an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes prior to January 1,
     2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan
     for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is
     established on or after January 1, 2009 are treated as accounts of an
     employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.

     PURCHASES BY SEP PLANS AND SIMPLE IRA PLANS

     Participant accounts in a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan or a
     Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers IRA (SIMPLE
     IRA) plan will be aggregated together for Class A sales charge purposes if
     the SEP plan or SIMPLE IRA plan was established after November 15, 2004 by
     an employer adopting a prototype plan produced


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 46
<PAGE>


     by American Funds Distributors, Inc. In the case where the employer adopts
     any other plan (including, but not limited to, an IRS model agreement),
     each participant's account in the plan will be aggregated with the
     participant's own personal investments that qualify under the aggregation
     policy. A SEP plan or SIMPLE IRA plan with a certain method of aggregating
     participant accounts as of November 15, 2004 may continue with that method
     so long as the employer has not modified the plan document since that date.

     OTHER PURCHASES

     Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by a vice president or more
     senior officer of the Capital Research and Management Company Fund
     Administration Unit, or by his or her designee, Class A shares of the
     American Funds stock, stock/bond and bond funds may be sold at net asset
     value to:

     (1)  current or retired directors, trustees, officers and advisory board
          members of, and certain lawyers who provide services to, the funds
          managed by Capital Research and Management Company, current or retired
          employees of Washington Management Corporation, current or retired
          employees and partners of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its
          affiliated companies, certain family members of the above persons, and
          trusts or plans primarily for such persons;

     (2)  currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed
          by such representatives, retired registered representatives with
          respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees
          (collectively, "Eligible Persons") (and their (a) spouses or
          equivalents if recognized under local law, (b) parents and children,
          including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships,
          sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and (c) parents-in-law, if the
          Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible
          Persons are listed in the account registration with the
          parents-in-law) of dealers who have sales agreements with the
          Principal Underwriter (or who clear transactions through such
          dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as
          participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or
          children;

     (3)  currently registered investment advisers ("RIAs") and assistants
          directly employed by such RIAs, retired RIAs with respect to accounts
          established while active, or full-time employees (collectively,
          "Eligible Persons") (and their (a) spouses or equivalents if
          recognized under local law, (b) parents and children, including
          parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law
          and daughters-in-law and (c) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons
          or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed
          in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of RIA firms that
          are authorized to sell shares of the funds, plans for the RIA firms,
          and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons,
          their spouses, parents and/or children;

     (4)  companies exchanging securities with the fund through a merger,
          acquisition or exchange offer;

     (5)  insurance company separate accounts;

     (6)  accounts managed by subsidiaries of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.;

     (7)  The Capital Group Companies, Inc., its affiliated companies and
          Washington Management Corporation;


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 47
<PAGE>


     (8)  an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with
          The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates, or an individual
          or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;

     (9)  wholesalers and full-time employees directly supporting wholesalers
          involved in the distribution of insurance company separate accounts
          whose underlying investments are managed by any affiliate of The
          Capital Group Companies, Inc.; and

     (10) full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the
          Principal Underwriter, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting
          the sale of mutual funds.

     Shares are offered at net asset value to these persons and organizations
     due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account
     is established under this net asset value privilege, additional investments
     can be made at net asset value for the life of the account.

     TRANSFERS TO COLLEGEAMERICA -- A transfer from the Virginia Prepaid
     Education Program/SM/ or the Virginia Education Savings Trust/SM/ to a
     CollegeAmerica account will be made with no sales charge. No commission
     will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer.

MOVING BETWEEN ACCOUNTS -- Investments in certain account types may be moved to
other account types without incurring additional Class A sales charges. These
transactions include, for example:


     .    redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a
          joint tenant account) used to purchase fund shares in an IRA or other
          individual-type retirement account;

     .    required minimum distributions from an IRA or other individual-type
          retirement account used to purchase fund shares in a non-retirement
          account; and

     .    death distributions paid to a beneficiary's account that are used by
          the beneficiary to purchase fund shares in a different account.

LOAN REPAYMENTS -- Repayments on loans taken from a retirement plan or an
individual-type retirement account are not subject to sales charges if American
Funds Service Company is notified of the repayment.


DEALER COMMISSIONS AND COMPENSATION -- Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to
dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not
subject to initial sales charges. These purchases consist of purchases of $1
million or more, purchases by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type
retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible
employees, and purchases made at net asset value by certain retirement plans,
endowments and foundations with assets of $50 million or more. Commissions on
such investments (other than IRA rollover assets that roll over at no sales
charge under the fund's IRA rollover policy as described in the prospectus) are
paid to dealers at the following rates: 1.00% on amounts of less than $4
million, 0.50% on amounts of at least $4 million but less than $10 million and
0.25% on amounts of at least $10 million. Commissions are based on cumulative
investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for redemptions,
transfers, or market declines. For example, if a shareholder has accumulated
investments in excess of $4 million (but


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 48
<PAGE>


less than $10 million) and subsequently redeems all or a portion of the
account(s), purchases following the redemption will generate a dealer commission
of 0.50%. For certain tax-exempt accounts opened prior to September 1, 1969,
sales charges and dealer commissions, as a percent of offering price, are
respectively 3% and 2.5% (under $50,000); 2.5% and 2.0% ($50,000 but less than
$100,000); 2.0% and 1.5% ($100,000 but less than $250,000) and 1.5% and 1.25%
($250,000 but less than $1 million).


A dealer concession of up to 1% may be paid by the fund under its Class A plan
of distribution to reimburse the Principal Underwriter in connection with dealer
and wholesaler compensation paid by it with respect to investments made with no
initial sales charge.


                      SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS

REDUCING YOUR CLASS A SALES CHARGE -- As described in the prospectus, there are
various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing Class A shares.
Additional information about Class A sales charge reductions is provided below.


     STATEMENT OF INTENTION -- By establishing a statement of intention (the
     "Statement"), you enter into a nonbinding commitment to purchase shares of
     the American Funds (excluding money market funds) over a 13-month period
     and receive the same sales charge (expressed as a percentage of your
     purchases) as if all shares had been purchased at once, unless the
     Statement is upgraded as described below.

     The Statement period starts on the date on which your first purchase made
     toward satisfying the Statement is processed. The market value of your
     existing holdings eligible to be aggregated (see below) as of the day
     immediately before the start of the Statement period may be credited toward
     satisfying the Statement.

     You may revise the commitment you have made in your Statement upward at any
     time during the Statement period. If your prior commitment has not been met
     by the time of the revision, the Statement period during which purchases
     must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of the
     revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the
     revised Statement. If your prior commitment has been met by the time of the
     revision, your original Statement will be considered met and a new
     Statement will be established.

     The Statement will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within
     the 13-month Statement period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted
     or paid on the difference between the Statement amount and the amount
     actually invested before the shareholder's death.

     When a shareholder elects to use a Statement, shares equal to 5% of the
     dollar amount specified in the Statement may be held in escrow in the
     shareholder's account out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases,
     if necessary) by the Transfer Agent. All dividends and any capital gain
     distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the
     shareholder's account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the
     intended investment is not completed within the specified Statement period,
     the purchaser may be required to remit to the Principal Underwriter the
     difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge
     which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at
     a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder's account at the
     time a


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 49
<PAGE>


     purchase was made during the Statement period will receive a corresponding
     commission adjustment if appropriate. If the difference is not paid by the
     close of the Statement period, the appropriate number of shares held in
     escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference. If the proceeds from this
     redemption are inadequate, the purchaser may be liable to the Principal
     Underwriter for the balance still outstanding.

     Certain payroll deduction retirement plans purchasing Class A shares under
     a Statement on or before November 12, 2006, may continue to purchase Class
     A shares at the sales charge determined by that particular Statement until
     the plans' values reach the amounts specified in their Statements. Upon
     reaching such amounts, the Statements for these plans will be deemed
     completed and will terminate. In addition, effective May 1, 2009, the
     Statements for these plans will expire if they have not been met by next
     anniversary of the establishment of such Statement. After such termination,
     these plans are eligible for additional sales charge reductions by meeting
     the criteria under the fund's rights of accumulation policy.

     In addition, if you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy
     variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were
     established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to apply
     purchases under such contracts and policies to a Statement.

     Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement
     indicate their acceptance of these terms and those in the prospectus with
     their first purchase.

     AGGREGATION -- Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by
     you and your "immediate family" as defined in the prospectus, if all
     parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:

     .    individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA,
          single-participant Keogh-type plan, or a participant account of a
          403(b) plan that is treated as an individual-type plan for sales
          charge purposes (see "Purchases by certain 403(b) plans" under "Sales
          charges" in this statement of additional information);

     .    SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans established after November 15, 2004 by
          an employer adopting any plan document other than a prototype plan
          produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.;

     .    business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family
          (for example, you own the entire business);

     .    trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts
          with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor's death the trust
          account may be aggregated with such beneficiary's own accounts; for
          trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor's death
          the trustees of the trust may instruct American Funds Service Company
          to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary;
          each primary beneficiary's separate trust account may then be
          aggregated with such beneficiary's own accounts);

     .    endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your
          immediate family; or

     .    529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level
          (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer
          plan).


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 50
<PAGE>


     Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be
     aggregated if the investments are:

     .    for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee
          benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans
          described above;

     .    made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of
          affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act, excluding the
          individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

     .    for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled
          account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund
          shares;

     .    for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any
          endowments or foundations established and controlled by such
          organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established
          for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their
          endowments, or their foundations;

     .    for participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an
          employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see "Purchases by
          certain 403(b) plans" under "Sales charges" in this statement of
          additional information), or made for participant accounts of two or
          more such plans, in each case of a single employer or affiliated
          employers as defined in the 1940 Act; or

     .    for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan established after November 15, 2004 by an
          employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds
          Distributors, Inc.

     Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the
     name of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust
     department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made
     for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street
     name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.

     CONCURRENT PURCHASES -- As described in the prospectus, you may reduce your
     Class A sales charge by combining purchases of all classes of shares in the
     American Funds, as well as holdings in Endowments and applicable holdings
     in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series. Shares of money market
     funds purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-reinvestment
     from a fund having a sales charge also qualify. However, direct purchases
     of American Funds money market funds are excluded. If you currently have
     individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or
     variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March
     31, 2007, you may continue to combine purchases made under such contracts
     and policies to reduce your Class A sales charge.

     RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION -- Subject to the limitations described in the
     aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in
     all share classes of the American Funds, as well as your holdings in
     Endowments and applicable holdings in the American Funds Target Date
     Retirement Series, to determine your sales charge on investments in
     accounts eligible to be aggregated. Direct purchases of American Funds
     money market funds are excluded. Subject to your investment dealer's or
     recordkeeper's capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated
     as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (the
     "market value") or (b) the amount you invested


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 51
<PAGE>


     (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital
     appreciation) less any withdrawals (the "cost value"). Depending on the
     entity on whose books your account is held, the value of your holdings in
     that account may not be eligible for calculation at cost value. For
     example, accounts held in nominee or street name may not be eligible for
     calculation at cost value and instead may be calculated at market value for
     purposes of rights of accumulation.

     The value of all of your holdings in accounts established in calendar year
     2005 or earlier will be assigned an initial cost value equal to the market
     value of those holdings as of the last business day of 2005. Thereafter,
     the cost value of such accounts will increase or decrease according to
     actual investments or withdrawals. You must contact your financial adviser
     or American Funds Service Company if you have additional information that
     is relevant to the calculation of the value of your holdings.

     When determining your American Funds Class A sales charge, if your
     investment is not in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may also
     continue to take into account the market value (as of the day prior to your
     American Funds investment) of your individual holdings in various American
     Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies that
     were established on or before March 31, 2007. An employer-sponsored
     retirement plan may also continue to take into account the market value of
     its investments in American Legacy Retirement Investment Plans that were
     established on or before March 31, 2007.

     You may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if such combined holdings
     cause you to be eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1
     million or more sales charge discount rate (i.e. at net asset value).

     If you make a gift of American Funds Class A shares, upon your request, you
     may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights
     of accumulation of all of your American Funds and applicable American
     Legacy accounts.

     RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT -- As described in the prospectus, certain
     transactions may be eligible for investment without a sales charge pursuant
     to the fund's right of reinvestment policy. Recent legislation suspended
     required minimum distributions from individual retirement accounts and
     employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts for the 2009 tax year. Given
     this suspension, proceeds from an automatic withdrawal plan to satisfy a
     required minimum distribution may be invested without a sales charge for
     the 2009 tax year, or any subsequent period, to the extent such legislation
     is extended. This policy is subject to any restrictions regarding the
     investment of proceeds from a required minimum distribution that may be
     established by the transfer agent.

CDSC WAIVERS FOR CLASS A, B AND C SHARES -- As noted in the prospectus, a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") may be waived for redemptions due to
death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder (this generally excludes
accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities). In the case of
joint tenant accounts, if one joint tenant dies, a surviving joint tenant, at
the time he or she notifies the Transfer Agent of the other joint tenant's death
and removes the decedent's name from the account, may redeem shares from the
account without incurring a CDSC. Redemptions made after the Transfer Agent is
notified of the death of a joint tenant will be subject to a CDSC.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 52
<PAGE>


In addition, a CDSC may be waived for the following types of transactions, if
together they do not exceed 12% of the value of an "account" (defined below)
annually (the "12% limit"):


     .    Required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the
          shareholder's attainment of age 70-1/2 (required minimum distributions
          that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account
          owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver).

     .    Redemptions through an automatic withdrawal plan ("AWP") (see
          "Automatic withdrawals" under "Shareholder account services and
          privileges" in this statement of additional information). For each AWP
          payment, assets that are not subject to a CDSC, such as appreciation
          on shares and shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and/or
          capital gain distributions, will be redeemed first and will count
          toward the 12% limit. If there is an insufficient amount of assets not
          subject to a CDSC to cover a particular AWP payment, shares subject to
          the lowest CDSC will be redeemed next until the 12% limit is reached.
          Any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash by a
          shareholder who receives payments through an AWP will also count
          toward the 12% limit. In the case of an AWP, the 12% limit is
          calculated at the time an automatic redemption is first made, and is
          recalculated at the time each additional automatic redemption is made.
          Shareholders who establish an AWP should be aware that the amount of a
          payment not subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on
          fluctuations in the value of their accounts. This privilege may be
          revised or terminated at any time.

     For purposes of this paragraph, "account" means:

     .    in the case of Class A shares, your investment in Class A shares of
          all American Funds (investments representing direct purchases of
          American Funds money market funds are excluded);

     .    in the case of Class B shares, your investment in Class B shares of
          the particular fund from which you are making the redemption; and

     .    in the case of Class C shares, your investment in Class C shares of
          the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

CDSC waivers are allowed only in the cases listed here and in the prospectus.
For example, CDSC waivers will not be allowed on redemptions of Class 529-B and
529-C shares due to termination of CollegeAmerica; a determination by the
Internal Revenue Service that CollegeAmerica does not qualify as a qualified
tuition program under the Code; proposal or enactment of law that eliminates or
limits the tax-favored status of CollegeAmerica; or elimination of the fund by
the Virginia College Savings Plan as an option for additional investment within
CollegeAmerica.

                                 SELLING SHARES

The methods for selling (redeeming) shares are described more fully in the
prospectus. If you wish to sell your shares by contacting American Funds Service
Company directly, any such request must be signed by the registered
shareholders. To contact American Funds Service Company via overnight mail or
courier service, see "Purchase and exchange of shares."


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 53
<PAGE>


A signature guarantee may be required for certain redemptions. In such an event,
your signature may be guaranteed by a domestic stock exchange or the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, bank, savings association or credit union that is
an eligible guarantor institution. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to
require a signature guarantee on any redemptions.


Additional documentation may be required for sales of shares held in corporate,
partnership or fiduciary accounts. You must include with your written request
any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form.


If you sell Class A, B or C shares and request a specific dollar amount to be
sold, we will sell sufficient shares so that the sale proceeds, after deducting
any applicable CDSC, equals the dollar amount requested.


Redemption proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to
provide reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or
cashier's checks) for shares purchased have cleared (which may take up to 10
business days from the purchase date). Except for delays relating to clearance
of checks for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and as
permissible under the 1940 Act), sale proceeds will be paid on or before the
seventh day following receipt and acceptance of an order. Interest will not
accrue or be paid on amounts that represent uncashed distribution or redemption
checks.


You may request that redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more from money market
funds be wired to your bank by writing American Funds Service Company. A
signature guarantee is required on all requests to wire funds.


                  SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES

The following services and privileges are generally available to all
shareholders. However, certain services and privileges described in the
prospectus and this statement of additional information may not be available for
Class 529 shareholders or if your account is held with an investment dealer or
through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.


AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN -- An automatic investment plan enables you to make
monthly or quarterly investments in the American Funds through automatic debits
from your bank account. To set up a plan, you must fill out an account
application and specify the amount that you would like to invest and the date on
which you would like your investments to occur. The plan will begin within 30
days after your account application is received. Your bank account will be
debited on the day or a few days before your investment is made, depending on
the bank's capabilities. The Transfer Agent will then invest your money into the
fund you specified on or around the date you specified. If the date you
specified falls on a weekend or holiday, your money will be invested on the
following business day. However, if the following business day falls in the next
month, your money will be invested on the business day immediately preceding the
weekend or holiday. If your bank account cannot be debited due to insufficient
funds, a stop-payment or the closing of the account, the plan may be terminated
and the related investment reversed. You may change the amount of the investment
or discontinue the plan at any time by contacting the Transfer Agent.


AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT -- Dividends and capital gain distributions are
reinvested in additional shares of the same class and fund at net asset value
unless you indicate otherwise on the account application. You also may elect to
have dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid in


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 54
<PAGE>


cash by informing the fund, the Transfer Agent or your investment dealer.
Dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders or
shareholders of the 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested.


If you have elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in
cash, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to
your address of record, or you do not respond to mailings from American Funds
Service Company with regard to uncashed distribution checks, your distribution
option may be automatically converted to having all dividends and other
distributions reinvested in additional shares.


CROSS-REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS -- For all share classes,
except the 529 classes of shares, you may cross-reinvest dividends and capital
gains (distributions) into other American Funds in the same share class at net
asset value, subject to the following conditions:


(1)  the aggregate value of your account(s) in the fund(s) paying distributions
equals or exceeds $5,000 (this is waived if the value of the account in the fund
receiving the distributions equals or exceeds that fund's minimum initial
investment requirement);

(2)  if the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions is below
the minimum initial investment requirement, distributions must be automatically
reinvested; and

(3)  if you discontinue the cross-reinvestment of distributions, the value of
the account of the fund receiving distributions must equal or exceed the minimum
initial investment requirement. If you do not meet this requirement within 90
days of notification, the fund has the right to automatically redeem the
account.

AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES -- For all share classes, you may automatically exchange
shares of the same class in amounts of $50 or more among any of the American
Funds on any day (or preceding business day if the day falls on a nonbusiness
day) of each month you designate.


AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS -- Depending on the type of account, for all share classes
except R shares, you may automatically withdraw shares from any of the American
Funds. You can make automatic withdrawals of $50 or more. You can designate the
day of each period for withdrawals and request that checks be sent to you or
someone else. Withdrawals may also be electronically deposited to your bank
account. The Transfer Agent will withdraw your money from the fund you specify
on or around the date you specify. If the date you specified falls on a weekend
or holiday, the redemption will take place on the previous business day.
However, if the previous business day falls in the preceding month, the
redemption will take place on the following business day after the weekend or
holiday. You should consult with your adviser or intermediary to determine if
your account is eligible for automatic withdrawals.


Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as dividends, yield or income.
Generally, automatic investments may not be made into a shareholder account from
which there are automatic withdrawals. Withdrawals of amounts exceeding
reinvested dividends and distributions and increases in share value would reduce
the aggregate value of the shareholder's account. The Transfer Agent arranges
for the redemption by the fund of sufficient shares, deposited by the
shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to provide the withdrawal payment
specified.


Redemption proceeds from an automatic withdrawal plan are not eligible for
reinvestment without a sales charge.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 55
<PAGE>


ACCOUNT STATEMENTS -- Your account is opened in accordance with your
registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional
investments, will be reflected on regular confirmation statements from the
Transfer Agent. Dividend and capital gain reinvestments, purchases through
automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans, as well as automatic
exchanges and withdrawals, will be confirmed at least quarterly.


AMERICAN FUNDSLINE AND AMERICANFUNDS.COM -- You may check your share balance,
the price of your shares or your most recent account transaction; redeem shares
(up to $75,000 per American Funds shareholder each day) from nonretirement plan
accounts; or exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine or using
americanfunds.com. To use American FundsLine, call 800/325-3590 from a
TouchTone(TM) telephone. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine
and americanfunds.com are subject to the conditions noted above and in
"Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges" below. You will
need your fund number (see the list of the American Funds under "General
information -- fund numbers"), personal identification number (generally the
last four digits of your Social Security number or other tax identification
number associated with your account) and account number.


Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services.
However, if you are not currently authorized to do so, you may complete an
American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish this privilege, you,
your financial adviser or any person with your account information may use these
services.


TELEPHONE AND INTERNET PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES -- By using the
telephone (including American FundsLine) or the Internet (including
americanfunds.com), or fax purchase, redemption and/or exchange options, you
agree to hold the fund, the Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or mutual
funds managed by such affiliates, the fund's business manager and each of their
respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any
losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be
incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all
shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, you may
elect to opt out of these services by writing the Transfer Agent (you may also
reinstate them at any time by writing the Transfer Agent). If the Transfer Agent
does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received
from any person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the
fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In
the event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of
technical difficulties, market conditions or a natural disaster, redemption and
exchange requests may be made in writing only.


CHECKWRITING -- You may establish check writing privileges for Class A shares
(but not Class 529-A shares) of American Funds money market funds upon meeting
the fund's initial purchase minimum of $1,000. This can be done by using an
account application. If you request check writing privileges, you will be
provided with checks that you may use to draw against your account. These checks
may be made payable to anyone you designate and must be signed by the authorized
number of registered shareholders exactly as indicated on your account
application.


REDEMPTION OF SHARES -- The fund's articles of incorporation permit the fund to
direct the Transfer Agent to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then
current net asset value per share if at such time the shareholder of record owns
shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than the minimum initial
investment amount required of new shareholders as set forth in


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 56
<PAGE>


the fund's current registration statement under the 1940 Act, and subject to
such further terms and conditions as the board of directors of the fund may from
time to time adopt.


While payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund's articles of
incorporation permit payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with
portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances
determined by the fund's board of directors. For example, redemptions could be
made in this manner if the board determined that making payments wholly in cash
over a particular period would be unfair and/or harmful to other fund
shareholders.


SHARE CERTIFICATES -- Shares are credited to your account and certificates are
not issued unless you request them by contacting the Transfer Agent.
Certificates are not available for the 529 or R share classes.


                              GENERAL INFORMATION

CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS -- Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds
from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the fund's portfolio,
are held by JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070, as
Custodian. If the fund holds securities of issuers outside the U.S., the
Custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in
banks outside the U.S. or branches of U.S. banks outside the U.S.


TRANSFER AGENT -- American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the investment adviser, maintains the records of shareholder accounts, processes
purchases and redemptions of the fund's shares, acts as dividend and capital
gain distribution disbursing agent, and performs other related shareholder
service functions. The principal office of American Funds Service Company is
located at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618. American Funds Service
Company was paid a fee of $XX for Class A shares and $XX for Class B shares for
the 2009 fiscal year. American Funds Service Company is also compensated for
certain transfer agency services provided to all other share classes from the
administrative services fees paid to Capital Research and Management Company and
from the relevant share class, as described under "Administrative services
agreement."


In the case of certain shareholder accounts, third parties who may be
unaffiliated with the investment adviser provide transfer agency and shareholder
services in place of American Funds Service Company. These services are rendered
under agreements with American Funds Service Company or its affiliates and the
third parties receive compensation according to such agreements. Compensation
for transfer agency and shareholder services, whether paid to American Funds
Service Company or such third parties, is ultimately paid from fund assets and
is reflected in the expenses of the fund as disclosed in the prospectus.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM -- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 350
South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071, serves as the fund's independent
registered public accounting firm, providing audit services, preparation of tax
returns and review of certain documents to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The financial statements included in this statement of
additional information from the annual report have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as
stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so
included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the fund's independent
registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the
board of directors.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 57
<PAGE>


INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL -- Dechert LLP, 1775 I Street, NW, Washington DC
20006, serves as counsel to the fund and as independent legal counsel to the
independent directors in their capacities as such. A determination with respect
to the independence of its independent legal counsel will be made at least
annually by the independent directors of the fund, as prescribed by the 1940 Act
and related rules.


PROSPECTUSES, REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENTS -- The fund's fiscal
year ends on April 30. Shareholders are provided updated prospectuses annually
and at least semiannually with reports showing the fund's investment portfolio
or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. The
fund's annual financial statements are audited by the fund's independent
registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition,
shareholders may also receive proxy statements for the fund. In an effort to
reduce the volume of mail shareholders receive from the fund when a household
owns more than one account, the Transfer Agent has taken steps to eliminate
duplicate mailings of prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To
receive additional copies of a prospectus, report or proxy statement,
shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent.


Shareholders may also elect to receive updated prospectuses, annual reports and
semi-annual reports electronically by signing up for electronic delivery on our
website, americanfunds.com. Upon electing the electronic delivery of updated
prospectuses and other reports, a shareholder will no longer automatically
receive such documents in paper form by mail. A shareholder who elects
electronic delivery is able to cancel this service at any time and return to
receiving updated prospectuses and other reports in paper form by mail.


Prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports that are mailed to
shareholders by the American Funds organization are printed with ink containing
soy and/or vegetable oil on paper containing recycled fibers.


CODES OF ETHICS -- The fund, Washington Management Corporation and Capital
Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies, including the
fund's Principal Underwriter, have adopted codes of ethics that allow for
personal investments, including securities in which the fund may invest from
time to time. These codes include a ban on acquisitions of securities pursuant
to an initial public offering; restrictions on acquisitions of private placement
securities; preclearance and reporting requirements; review of duplicate
confirmation statements; annual recertification of compliance with codes of
ethics; blackout periods on personal investing for certain investment personnel;
ban on short-term trading profits for investment personnel; limitations on
service as a director of publicly traded companies; and disclosure of personal
securities transactions.


LEGAL PROCEEDINGS -- On February 16, 2005, the NASD (now the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, or FINRA) filed an administrative complaint against the
Principal Underwriter. The complaint alleges violations of certain NASD rules by
the Principal Underwriter with respect to the selection of broker-dealer firms
that buy and sell securities for mutual fund investment portfolios. The
complaint seeks sanctions, restitution and disgorgement. On August 30, 2006, a
FINRA Hearing Panel ruled against the Principal Underwriter and imposed a $5
million fine. On April 30, 2008, FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council affirmed
the decision by FINRA's Hearing Panel. The Principal Underwriter has appealed
this decision to the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 58
<PAGE>


The investment adviser and Principal Underwriter believe that the likelihood
that this matter could have a material adverse effect on the fund or on the
ability of the investment adviser or Principal Underwriter to perform their
contracts with the fund is remote. In addition, class action lawsuits have been
filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, relating to
this and other matters. The investment adviser believes that these suits are
without merit and will defend itself vigorously.


DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE AND MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
PER SHARE FOR CLASS A SHARES -- APRIL 30, 2009




Net asset value and redemption price per share
  (Net assets divided by shares outstanding). .                       $XX
Maximum offering price per share
  (100/94.25 of net asset value per share,
  which takes into account the fund's current maximum
  sales charge). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        $XX




OTHER INFORMATION -- The fund reserves the right to modify the privileges
described in this statement of additional information at any time.




                                                               PERCENT OF
 INDUSTRY SECTOR HOLDINGS AS OF APRIL 30, 2009                 NET ASSETS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Industrials                                                       XX%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Financials                                                        XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Health care                                                       XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Information technology                                            XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Energy                                                            XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Consumer discretionary                                            XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Consumer staples                                                  XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Telecommunication services                                        XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Utilities                                                         XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Materials                                                         XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Miscellaneous                                                     XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities             XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------





                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 59
<PAGE>




                                                               PERCENT OF
 TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS AS OF APRIL 30, 2009                     NET ASSETS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 AT&T
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Chevron                                                           XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 General Electric                                                  XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JPMorgan Chase                                                    XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IBM                                                               XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Abbott Laboratories                                               XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ExxonMobil                                                        XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Verizon Communications                                            XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lowe's                                                            XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Wells Fargo                                                       XX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------




Because the fund is actively managed, its holdings will change over time.


For updated information on the fund's portfolio holdings, please visit us at
americanfunds.com.


The financial statements, including the investment portfolio and the report of
the fund's independent registered public accounting firm contained in the annual
report, are included in this statement of additional information. The following
information on fund numbers is not included in the annual report:


                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 60
<PAGE>


FUND NUMBERS -- Here are the fund numbers for use with our automated telephone
line, American FundsLine/(R)/, or when making share transactions:



                                               FUND NUMBERS
                              -------------------------------------------------
FUND                          CLASS A  CLASS B  CLASS C  CLASS F-1   CLASS F-2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS
AMCAP Fund/(R)/ . . . . . .     002      202      302       402         602
American Balanced Fund/(R)/     011      211      311       411         611
American Mutual Fund/(R)/ .     003      203      303       403         603
Capital Income Builder/(R)/     012      212      312       412         612
Capital World Growth and
Income Fund/SM/ . . . . . .     033      233      333       433         633
EuroPacific Growth Fund/(R)/    016      216      316       416         616
Fundamental Investors/SM/ .     010      210      310       410         610
The Growth Fund of
America/(R)/. . . . . . . .     005      205      305       405         605
The Income Fund of
America/(R)/. . . . . . . .     006      206      306       406         606
International Growth and
Income Fund/SM/ . . . . . .     034      234      334       434         634
The Investment Company of
America/(R)/. . . . . . . .     004      204      304       404         604
The New Economy Fund/(R)/ .     014      214      314       414         614
New Perspective Fund/(R)/ .     007      207      307       407         607
New World Fund/(R)/ . . . .     036      236      336       436         636
SMALLCAP World Fund/(R)/  .     035      235      335       435         635
Washington Mutual Investors
Fund/SM/  . . . . . . . . .     001      201      301       401         601
BOND FUNDS
American High-Income
Municipal Bond Fund/(R)/  .     040      240      340       440         640
American High-Income
Trust/SM/ . . . . . . . . .     021      221      321       421         621
The Bond Fund of America/SM/    008      208      308       408         608
Capital World Bond Fund/(R)/    031      231      331       431         631
Intermediate Bond Fund of
America/SM/ . . . . . . . .     023      223      323       423         623
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond
Fund of America/SM/ . . . .     043      243      343       443         643
Short-Term Bond Fund of
America/SM/ . . . . . . . .     048      248      348       448         648
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of
America/(R)/. . . . . . . .     019      219      319       419         619
The Tax-Exempt Fund of
California/(R)/*. . . . . .     020      220      320       420         620
The Tax-Exempt Fund of
Maryland/(R)/*. . . . . . .     024      224      324       424         624
The Tax-Exempt Fund of
Virginia/(R)/*. . . . . . .     025      225      325       425         625
U.S. Government Securities
Fund/SM/. . . . . . . . . .     022      222      322       422         622
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
American Funds Money Market
Fund/SM/  . . . . . . . . .     059      259      359       459         659
The Cash Management Trust of
America/(R)/. . . . . . . .     009      209      309       409         609
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of
America/SM/ . . . . . . . .     039      N/A      N/A       N/A         N/A
The U.S. Treasury Money Fund
of America/SM/  . . . . . .     049      N/A      N/A       N/A         N/A
___________
*Qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions.



                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 61
<PAGE>



                                                 FUND NUMBERS
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                  CLASS    CLASS    CLASS    CLASS     CLASS
FUND                              529-A    529-B    529-C    529-E    529-F-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS
AMCAP Fund . . . . . . . . . .    1002     1202     1302     1502       1402
American Balanced Fund . . . .    1011     1211     1311     1511       1411
American Mutual Fund . . . . .    1003     1203     1303     1503       1403
Capital Income Builder . . . .    1012     1212     1312     1512       1412
Capital World Growth and Income
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1033     1233     1333     1533       1433
EuroPacific Growth Fund  . . .    1016     1216     1316     1516       1416
Fundamental Investors  . . . .    1010     1210     1310     1510       1410
The Growth Fund of America . .    1005     1205     1305     1505       1405
The Income Fund of America . .    1006     1206     1306     1506       1406
International Growth and Income
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1034     1234     1334     1534       1434
The Investment Company of
America. . . . . . . . . . . .    1004     1204     1304     1504       1404
The New Economy Fund . . . . .    1014     1214     1314     1514       1414
New Perspective Fund . . . . .    1007     1207     1307     1507       1407
New World Fund . . . . . . . .    1036     1236     1336     1536       1436
SMALLCAP World Fund  . . . . .    1035     1235     1335     1535       1435
Washington Mutual Investors
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1001     1201     1301     1501       1401
BOND FUNDS
American High-Income Trust . .    1021     1221     1321     1521       1421
The Bond Fund of America . . .    1008     1208     1308     1508       1408
Capital World Bond Fund  . . .    1031     1231     1331     1531       1431
Intermediate Bond Fund of
America. . . . . . . . . . . .    1023     1223     1323     1523       1423
Short-Term Bond Fund of America   1048     1248     1348     1548       1448
U.S. Government Securities Fund   1022     1222     1322     1522       1422
MONEY MARKET FUND
American Funds Money Market
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1059     1259     1359     1559       1459
The Cash Management Trust of
America. . . . . . . . . . . .    1009     1209     1309     1509       1409





                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 62
<PAGE>



                                               FUND NUMBERS
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS   CLASS
FUND                                  R-1    R-2    R-3    R-4    R-5     R-6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS
AMCAP Fund . . . . . . . . . . . .   2102   2202   2302   2402   2502    2602
American Balanced Fund . . . . . .   2111   2211   2311   2411   2511    2611
American Mutual Fund . . . . . . .   2103   2203   2303   2403   2503    2603
Capital Income Builder . . . . . .   2112   2212   2312   2412   2512    2612
Capital World Growth and Income
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2133   2233   2333   2433   2533    2633
EuroPacific Growth Fund  . . . . .   2116   2216   2316   2416   2516    2616
Fundamental Investors  . . . . . .   2110   2210   2310   2410   2510    2610
The Growth Fund of America . . . .   2105   2205   2305   2405   2505    2605
The Income Fund of America . . . .   2106   2206   2306   2406   2506    2606
International Growth and Income
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2134   2234   2334   2434   2534    2634
The Investment Company of America    2104   2204   2304   2404   2504    2604
The New Economy Fund . . . . . . .   2114   2214   2314   2414   2514    2614
New Perspective Fund . . . . . . .   2107   2207   2307   2407   2507    2607
New World Fund . . . . . . . . . .   2136   2236   2336   2436   2536    2636
SMALLCAP World Fund  . . . . . . .   2135   2235   2335   2435   2535    2635
Washington Mutual Investors Fund .   2101   2201   2301   2401   2501    2601
BOND FUNDS
American High-Income Municipal Bond
Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2540     N/A
American High-Income Trust . . . .   2121   2221   2321   2421   2521    2621
The Bond Fund of America . . . . .   2108   2208   2308   2408   2508    2608
Capital World Bond Fund  . . . . .   2131   2231   2331   2431   2531    2631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America    2123   2223   2323   2423   2523    2623
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
of America . . . . . . . . . . . .    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2543     N/A
Short-Term Bond Fund of America. .   2148   2248   2348   2448   2548    2648
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2519     N/A
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California*    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2520     N/A
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland* .    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2524     N/A
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia* .    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2525     N/A
U.S. Government Securities Fund  .   2122   2222   2322   2422   2522    2622
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
American Funds Money Market Fund .   2159   2259   2359   2459   2559    2659
The Cash Management Trust of
America. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2109   2209   2309   2409   2509     N/A
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of
America  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   2539     N/A
The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of
America  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2149   2249   2349   2449   2549     N/A
___________
*Qualified for sale only in certain
jurisdictions.





                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 63
<PAGE>



                                           FUND NUMBERS
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                     CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS  CLASS   CLASS
FUND                        CLASS A   R-1    R-2    R-3    R-4    R-5     R-6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AMERICAN FUNDS TARGET DATE RETIREMENT SERIES/(R)/
American Funds 2050 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     069    2169   2269   2369   2469   2569    2669
American Funds 2045 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     068    2168   2268   2368   2468   2568    2668
American Funds 2040 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     067    2167   2267   2367   2467   2567    2667
American Funds 2035 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     066    2166   2266   2366   2466   2566    2666
American Funds 2030 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     065    2165   2265   2365   2465   2565    2665
American Funds 2025 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     064    2164   2264   2364   2464   2564    2664
American Funds 2020 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     063    2163   2263   2363   2463   2563    2663
American Funds 2015 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     062    2162   2262   2362   2462   2562    2662
American Funds 2010 Target
Date Retirement Fund/(R)/     061    2161   2261   2361   2461   2561    2661





                  Washington Mutual Investors Fund -- Page 64

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2009 TO COME
      


WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND, INC.
PART C:  OTHER INFORMATION
      
      
Item 23.
      
Exhibits
      
      
(a)(1)
      
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated December 28, 2001.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 115 filed June 30, 2008 (Accession No. 0000104865-08-000023.))
      
      
(a)(2)
      
Form of Articles Supplementary dated March 30, 2009.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(b)
      
By-laws as amended June 16, 2005.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 112 filed June 29, 2006 (Accession No. 0000770482-06-000021.))
      
      
(c)
      
Form of share certificate.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 104 filed March 9, 2001 (Accession No. 0000104865-01-000001.))
      
      
(d)
      
Investment Advisory Agreement.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 97 filed April 22, 1997 (Accession No. 0000104865-97-000003.))
      
      
(e)(1)
      
Form of Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement dated May 1, 2009.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(e)(2)
      
Form of Amendment to Selling Group Agreement effective October 1, 2008; Form of Amendment to Institutional Selling Group Agreement effective October 1, 2008; Form of Class F Share Participation Agreement; Form of Amendment to Class F Share Participation Agreement effective August 1, 2008; Form of Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares; Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective August 1, 2008; Form of Amendment to Selling Group Agreement effective May 1, 2009; Form of Amendment to Institutional Selling Group Agreement effective May 1, 2009; Form of Amendment to Class F Share Participation Agreement effective May 1, 2009; Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective May 1, 2009; Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective May 1, 2009.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(f)
      
Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – Deferred Compensation Plan amended January 1, 2005.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 113 filed June 29, 2007 (Accession No. 0000104865-07-000022.))
      
      
(g)
      
Form of Custodian Agreement dated December 21, 2006.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 113 filed June 29, 2007 (Accession No. 0000104865-07-000022.))
      
      
(h)(1)
      
Form of Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement dated May 1, 2009.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(h)(2)
      
Form of Amended and Restated Shareholder Service Agreement.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 110 filed June 18, 2004 (Accession No. 0000104865-04-000005.))
      
      
(h)(3)
      
Amended and Restated Business Management Agreement dated June 19, 2008.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 115 filed June 30, 2008 (Accession No. 0000104865-08-000023.))
      
      
(h)(4)
      
Form of Indemnification Agreement.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 111 filed June 30, 2005 (Accession No. 0000104865-05-000004.))
      
      
(h)(5)
      
Form of Amendment to Shareholder Service Agreement dated November 1, 2006.    Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 113 filed June 29, 2007 (Accession No. 0000104865-07-000022.))
      
      
(i)(1)
      
Legal Opinion for Class A Shares.  Previously filed.
      
      
(i)(2)
      
Legal Opinion for Class B Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 102 filed March 9, 2000 (Accession No. 0000104865-00-000002.))
      
      
(i)(3)
      
Legal Opinion for Class C and F Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 104 filed March 9, 2001 (Accession No. 0000104865-01-000001.))
      
      
(i)(4)
      
Legal Opinion for Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 106 filed February 14, 2002 (Accession No. 0000104865-02-000003.))
      
      
(i)(5)
(i)(6)
      
Legal Opinion for Class F-2 Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 115 filed June 30, 2008 (Accession No. 0000104865-08-000023.))
Legal Opinion for Class R-6 Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(j)
      
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  To be filed by Amendment.
      
      
(k)
      
Not applicable.
      
      
(l)
      
Not applicable.
      
      
(m)(1)
      
Form of Plan of Distribution for Class A Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 97 filed April 22, 1997 (Accession No. 0000104865-97-000003.))
      
      
(m)(2)
      
Forms of AmendedPlans of Distribution for Class B, C, F, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Shares.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 112 filed June 29, 2006 (Accession No. 0000770482-06-000021.))
      
      
(m)(3)
      
Form of Amendments to Plans of Distribution (Class F and 529-F Shares) dated July 30, 2008.    Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 115 filed June 30, 2008 (Accession No. 0000104865-08-000023.))
      
      
(n)
      
Form of Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated May 1, 2009.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(p)(1)
      
Code of Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated December 2008.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 116 filed on April 8, 2009 (Accession No. 0000792953-09-000016.))
      
      
(p)(2)
      
Code of Ethics for Washington Management Corporation dated June 1, 2008.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 115 filed June 30, 2008 (Accession No. 0000104865-08-000023.))
      
      
(p)(3)
      
Code of Ethics for the Registrant dated April 2007.  Previously filed.  (See P/E Amendment No. 113 filed June 29, 2007 (Accession No. 0000104865-07-000022.))
      
      
      
      
Item 24.                        Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant
There are no persons controlled by or under common control with the Fund.
Item 25.  Indemnification
Registrant is a joint-insured under an Investment Advisor/Mutual Fund Errors and Omissions Policy written by American International Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Chubb Custom Insurance Company and ICI Mutual Insurance Company which insures its officers and directors against certain liabilities.
Article VIII (h) and (i) of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund provide that:
(h)  "The Corporation shall indemnify (1) its directors and officers, whether serving the Corporation or at its request any other entity, to the full extent required or permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses under the procedures and to the full extent permitted by law, and (2) its other employees and agents to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors or the Corporation's By-Laws and be permitted by law.  The foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled.  The Board of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and amend from time to time such By-Laws, resolutions or contracts implementing such provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law.  No amendment of these Articles of the Corporation shall limit or eliminate the right to indemnification provided hereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to authorize the Corporation to indemnify any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or to any holders of securities of the Corporation to which he is subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.  Any indemnification by the Corporation shall be consistent with the requirements of law, including the [Investment Company] Act [of 1940].
(i)           To the fullest extent permitted by Maryland statutory and decisional law and the [Investment Company] Act [of 1940], no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for money damages; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to which such director or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.  No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article VIII shall adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer that exists at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal."
Subsection (b) of Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of Maryland empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding unless it is proved that:  (i) the act or omission of the person was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) the person actually received an improper personal benefit of money, property or services; or (iii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe his act or omission was unlawful.
Indemnification under subsection (b) of Section 2-418 may not be made by a corporation unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because the party to be indemnified has met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection (b).  This determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties to the proceeding, or, if such quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the Board consisting solely of one or more directors not, at the time, parties to such proceeding and who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of the full Board in which the designated directors who are parties may participate; (ii) by special legal counsel selected by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board by vote as set forth in subparagraph (i), or, if the requisite quorum of the full Board cannot be obtained therefor and the committee cannot be established, by a majority vote of the full Board in which any director who is a party may participate; or (iii) by the shareholders (except that shares held by any party to the specific proceeding may not be voted).  A court of appropriate jurisdiction may also order indemnification if the court determines that a person seeking indemnification is entitled to reimbursement under subsection (b).
Section 2-418 further provides that indemnification provided for by Section 2-418 shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that the scope of indemnification extends to directors, officers, employees or agents of a constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger and persons serving in that capacity at the request of the constituent corporation for another; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person's status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 2-418.
Item 26.  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
None.
Item 27.  Principal Underwriter
 (a) 
        American Funds Distributors, Inc. is also the Principal Underwriter of shares of: AMCAP Fund, Inc., American Balanced Fund, Inc., The American Funds Income Series, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, Inc., The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., American High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, Inc., The Bond Fund of America, Inc., Capital Income Builder, Inc., Capital World Bond Fund, Inc., Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc., The Cash Management Trust of America, EuroPacific Growth Fund, Fundamental Investors, Inc., The Growth Fund of America, Inc., The Income Fund of America, Inc., Intermediate Bond Fund of America, International Growth and Income Fund, Inc., The Investment Company of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective Fund, Inc., New World Fund, Inc., Short-Term Bond Fund of America, Inc., SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America and U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America. 
      
      
 (b)   
        The directors and officers of American Funds Distributors, Inc. are set forth below. 
      
      
(1)
      
(2)
      
(3)
      
      
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
BUSINESS ADDRESS
      
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
    WITH UNDERWRITER
      
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
    WITH REGISTRANT
      
      
LAO
      
E. Grant Abramson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David L. Abzug
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William C. Anderson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Robert B. Aprison
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
T. Patrick Bardsley
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Shakeel A. Barkat
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas M. Bartow
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Carl R. Bauer
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michelle A. Bergeron
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
J. Walter Best, Jr.
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Roger J. Bianco, Jr.
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John A. Blanchard
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Randall L. Blanchetti
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Gerard M. Bockstie, Jr.
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jonathan W. Botts
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Bill Brady
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mick L. Brethower
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
C. Alan Brown
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
William H. Bryan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Sheryl M. Burford
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
J. Peter Burns
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Steven Calabria
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas E. Callahan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Kathleen D. Campbell
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Matthew C. Carlisle
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jason S. Carlough
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Damian F. Carroll
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James D. Carter
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brian C. Casey
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Victor C. Cassato
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Christopher J. Cassin
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Denise M. Cassin
      
Director, Senior Vice President and Director of AFIG and Dealer Relations
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David D. Charlton
      
Director, Senior Vice President and Director Individual Investor and Advisory Business
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas M. Charon
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Wellington Choi
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Paul A. Cieslik
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kevin G. Clifford
      
Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
      
None
      
      
HRO
      
Cheri Coleman
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Ruth M. Collier
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
David Coolbaugh
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Carlo O. Cordasco
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Charles H. Cote
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael D. Cravotta
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Joseph G. Cronin
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
D. Erick Crowdus
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Christopher J. Curran
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William F. Daugherty
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Peter J. Deavan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Guy E. Decker
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Daniel J. Delianedis
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James W. DeLouise
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jeffrey C. Denny
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
James A. DePerno, Jr.
570 Porterville Road
East Aurora, NY 14052
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Bruce L. DePriester
      
Director,
Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Controller
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Lori A. Deuberry
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Dianne M. Dexter
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas J. Dickson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael A. DiLella
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
NYO
      
Dean M. Dolan
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Hedy B. Donahue
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael J. Downer
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Craig A. Duglin
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael J. Dullaghan
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
IND
      
Lloyd G. Edwards
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Timothy L. Ellis
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kristopher A. Feldmeyer
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Lorna Fitzgerald
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William F. Flannery
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John R. Fodor
      
Director, Executive Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Charles L. Freadhoff
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Daniel B. Frick
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Linda S. Gardner
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Keith R. George
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Lori A. Giacomini
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
J. Christopher Gies
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David M. Givner
      
Secretary
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jack E. Goldin
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Earl C. Gottschalk
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jeffrey J. Greiner
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Eric M. Grey
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
NYO
      
Maura S. Griffin
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Christopher M. Guarino
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Steven Guida
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Mariellen Hamann
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Derek S. Hansen
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Calvin L. Harrelson, III
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Robert J. Hartig, Jr.
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Craig W. Hartigan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Linda M. Hines
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Russell K. Holliday
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Heidi Horwitz-Marcus
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kevin B. Hughes
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Ronald R. Hulsey
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Marc Ialeggio
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Robert S. Irish
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
HRO
      
Jill Jackson-Chavis
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
IND
      
David K. Jacocks
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Krista M. Johnson
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Linda Johnson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
GVO-1
      
Joanna F. Jonsson
      
Director
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Damien M. Jordan
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Marc J. Kaplan
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John P. Keating
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brian G. Kelly
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Ryan C. Kidwell
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Andrew J. Kilbride
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark Kistler
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
NYO
      
Dorothy Klock
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Dianne L. Koske
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Elizabeth K. Koster
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Christopher F. Lanzafame
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Patricia D. Lathrop
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
Laura Lavery
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
R. Andrew LeBlanc
78 Eton Road
Garden City, NY 11530
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Clay M. Leveritt
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Susan B. Lewis
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
T. Blake Liberty
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark J. Lien
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Lorin E. Liesy
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Louis K. Linquata
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
HRO
      
Maria M. Lockard
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
Brendan T. Mahoney
1 Union Avenue, Suite One
Sudbury, MA 01776
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Nathan G. Mains
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
Stephen A. Malbasa
13405 Lake Shore Blvd.
Cleveland, OH  44110
      
Director, Senior Vice President and Director of Retirement Plan Business
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Paul R. Mayeda
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Eleanor P. Maynard
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Christopher McCarthy
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James R. McCrary
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Joseph A. McCreesh, III
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Will McKenna
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
John V. McLaughlin
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Scott M. Meade
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Daniel P. Melehan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William T. Mills
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James R. Mitchell III
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Charles L. Mitsakos
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Monty L. Moncrief
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David H. Morrison
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Andrew J. Moscardini
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brian D. Munson
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jack Nitowitz
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William E. Noe
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Matthew P. O’Connor
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jonathan H. O’Flynn
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Eric P. Olson
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jeffrey A. Olson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas A. O’Neil
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Shawn M. O’Sullivan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael W. Pak
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
W. Burke Patterson, Jr.
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Gary A. Peace
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Samuel W. Perry
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Raleigh G. Peters
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David K. Petzke
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
IRV
      
John H. Phelan, Jr.
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Fredric Phillips
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John Pinto
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Carl S. Platou
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Charles R. Porcher
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Julie K. Prather
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Richard P. Prior
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Steven J. Quagrello
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mike Quinn
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John W. Rankin
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jennifer D. Rasner
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James P. Rayburn
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Rene M. Reincke
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark S. Reischmann
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Steven J. Reitman
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brian A. Roberts
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jeffrey Robinson
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Suzette M. Rothberg
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James F. Rothenberg
      
Non-Executive Chairman and Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Romolo D. Rottura
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Douglas F. Rowe
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William M. Ryan
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Dean B. Rydquist
      
Director,
Senior Vice President,
Chief Compliance Officer
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Richard A. Sabec, Jr.
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Richard R. Samson
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
HRO
      
Diane Sawyer
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Joseph D. Scarpitti
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kim D. Schmidt
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Shane D. Schofield
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David L. Schroeder
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark A. Seaman
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Sherrie L. Senft
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
James J. Sewell III
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Arthur M. Sgroi
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Steven D. Shackelford
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
R. Michael Shanahan
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael J. Sheldon
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Frederic J. Shipp
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Daniel S. Shore
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brad Short
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Nathan W. Simmons
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William P. Simon, Jr.
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Connie F. Sjursen
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jerry L. Slater
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO-W
      
John H. Smet
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Rodney G. Smith
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Stacy D. Smolka
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
J. Eric Snively
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Anthony L. Soave
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Therese L. Soullier
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Nicholas D. Spadaccini
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kristen J. Spazafumo
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark D. Steburg
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Michael P. Stern
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brad Stillwagon
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas A. Stout
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Craig R. Strauser
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Libby J. Syth
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Drew W. Taylor
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Larry I. Thatt
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Gary J. Thoma
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Cynthia M. Thompson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David R. Therrien
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
John B. Thomas
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Mark R. Threlfall
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
David Tippets
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
IND
      
James P. Toomey
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Luke N. Trammel
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
IND
      
Christopher E. Trede
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Scott W. Ursin-Smith
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Cindy Vaquiax
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Srinkanth Vemuri
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
J. David Viale
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
DCO
      
Bradley J. Vogt
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Sherrie S. Walling
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
SNO
      
Chris L. Wammack
      
Assistant Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Thomas E. Warren
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Gregory J. Weimer
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
SFO
      
Gregory W. Wendt
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
George J. Wenzel
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jason M. Weybrecht
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Brian E. Whalen
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
William C. Whittington
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
N. Dexter Williams, Jr.
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Alan J. Wilson
      
Director
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Andrew L. Wilson
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Steven C. Wilson
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Timothy J. Wilson
      
Director, Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Kurt A. Wuestenberg
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
William R. Yost
9463 Olympia Drive
Eden Prairie, MN  55347
      
Senior Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jason P. Young
      
Vice President
      
None
      
      
LAO
      
Jonathan A. Young
      
Regional Vice President
      
None
      
      
      
      
__________
DCO
      
Business Address, 3000 K Street N.W., Suite 230, Washington, DC 20007-5140
      
      
GVO-1
      
Business Address, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
      
      
HRO
      
Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
      
      
IND
      
Business Address, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240
      
      
IRV
      
Business Address, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
      
      
LAO
      
Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071
      
      
LAO-W
      
Business Address, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA  90025
      
      
NYO
      
Business Address, 630 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10111
      
      
SFO
      
Business Address, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94105
      
      
SNO
      
Business Address, 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX  78251
      
      
      
      
(c)             Not applicable.
Item 28.                        Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books, records and documents required pursuant to Section 31(a)(1) and 31(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained, in whole or in part, at the offices of:
NAME
      
ADDRESS
      
      
Washington Management Corporation (business manager)
      
1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20005
      
      
Capital Research and Management Company (investment adviser)
      
333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071
      
      
Capital Research and Management Company (fund accounting dept.)
      
5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
      
      
American Funds Service Company (transfer agent)
      
6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
8332 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240
10001 North 92nd Street, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251
5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
      
      
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (custodian)
      
270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070
      
      
      
      
Item 29.  Management Services
None.
Item 30.  Undertakings
Not applicable.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc., has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Washington and District of Columbia on the 1st day of May, 2009.
Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
 By:     
        /s/Jeffrey L. Steele              Jeffrey L. Steele  President 
      
      
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 1, 2009.
J. Knox Singleton*
J. Knox Singleton
      
Donald L. Nickles*
Donald L. Nickles
      
      
Director and Chairman of the Board
      
Director
      
      
/James H. Lemon, Jr.*
James H. Lemon, Jr.
      
Katherine D. Ortega*
Katherine D. Ortega
      
      
Director and Vice Chairman of the Board
      
Director
      
      
Nariman Farvardin*
Nariman Farvardin
      
William J. Shaw*
William J. Shaw
      
      
Director
      
Director
      
      
Barbara Hackman Franklin*
Barbara Hackman Franklin
      
Harry J. Lister*
Harry J. Lister
      
      
Director
      
Director
      
      
R. Clark Hooper*
R. Clark Hooper
      
/s/Jeffrey L. Steele
Jeffrey L. Steele
      
      
Director
      
President and Director
      
      
James C. Miller III*
James C. Miller III
      

      
Director
      

      
      
      
By: /s/Michael W. Stockton
Michael W. Stockton
      
By: /s/Jeffrey L. Steele
Jeffrey L. Steele
      
      
Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
      
President
      
      
*By: /s/Michael W. Stockton
Michael W. Stockton
      

      
Attorney-in-fact
      

      
      
      




POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned directors of Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc. a Maryland Corporation, do each hereby constitute and appoint Michael W. Stockton, Jennifer L. Butler and Stephanie L. Pfromer, or any of them to act as attorneys-in-fact for and in his or her name, place and stead (1) to sign 
his or her name as a director of said Corporation to any and all amendments to the Registration Statement of Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc., File No. 2-11051 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, File No. 811-604, 
said amendments to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to any and all documents required by any State in the United States of America in which this Corporation offers its shares, and (2) to deliver any and all such amendments to such Registration Statement, so signed, 
for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, granting to said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform every act and thing 
whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact.
EXECUTED at Washington, D.C., this 16th day of April, 2009.

WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND, INC.
/s/Nariman Farvardin
Nariman Farvardin
      
/s/Donald L. Nickles
Donald L. Nickles
      
      
/s/Barbara H. Franklin
Barbara H. Franklin
      
/s/Katherine D. Ortega
Katherine D. Ortega
      
      
/s/R. Clark Hooper
R. Clark Hooper
      
/s/William J. Shaw
William J. Shaw
      
      
/s/James H. Lemon, Jr.
James H. Lemon, Jr.
      
/s/J. Knox Singleton
J. Knox Singleton
      
      
/s/Harry J. Lister
Harry J. Lister
      
/s/Jeffrey L. Steele
Jeffrey L. Steele
      
      
/s/James C. Miller III
James C. Miller III