Balanced Income Select Portfolio, Series 136

Although stocks have historically provided higher returns over the long-term than bonds or other fixed-income securities, there are investors who don’t feel comfortable investing only in the stock market with all of its potential volatility. The Balanced Income Select Portfolio offers investors a potentially lower-risk alternative to investing solely in stocks. To accomplish this, the portfolio invests approximately 50% in common stocks of companies which have above-average dividend yields and approximately 50% in closed-end funds which invest primarily in U.S. and foreign taxable bonds. Because stocks and bonds may react differently to changes in the economy and interest rates, diversifying assets in this manner has the potential to reduce the overall volatility of the portfolio.

The Importance of Dividends

Dividends have traditionally been one of the few constants in the world of investing, helping to buffer volatility in both good and bad markets. When markets decline, dividends have the potential to offset losses, and when markets rise, dividends have the potential to enhance returns.

A dividend is a payment from a company’s earnings. Since corporations are not obligated to share their earnings with stockholders, dividends may be viewed as a sign of a company’s profitability as well as management’s assessment of the future.

Why Closed-End Funds?

Since closed-end funds maintain a relatively fixed pool of investment capital, portfolio managers are better able to adhere to their investment philosophies through greater flexibility and control. In addition, closed-end funds don’t have to manage fund liquidity to meet potentially large redemptions.

Because they are not subjected to cash inflows and outflows, which can dilute income distributions over time, closed-end funds can generally provide a more stable income stream than other managed fixed-income investment products. However, as a result of bond calls, redemptions and advanced refundings, which can dilute a fund’s income, stable income cannot be assured.

Portfolio Objectives

This unit investment trust seeks a high rate of monthly income and capital appreciation; however, there is no assurance the objectives will be met.

You should consider the portfolio's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact your financial professional or call First Trust Portfolios L.P. at 1.800.621.1675 to request a prospectus, which contains this and other information about the portfolio. Read it carefully before you invest.

Risk Considerations

An investment in this unmanaged unit investment trust should be made with an understanding of the risks involved with an investment in a portfolio of common stocks and closed-end funds.

Closed-end funds are subject to various risks, including management’s ability to meet the fund’s investment objective, and to manage the fund’s portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of market turmoil and as investors’ perceptions regarding the funds or their underlying investments change. Unlike open-end funds, which trade at prices based on a current determination of the fund’s net asset value, closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value in the secondary market.

Common stocks are subject to certain risks, such as an economic recession and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the stock market.

All of the funds invest in high-yield securities or “junk” bonds. Investing in high-yield securities should be viewed as speculative and you should review your ability to assume the risks associated with investments which utilize such securities. High-yield securities are subject to numerous risks, including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the junk bond market, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal. High-yield security prices tend to fluctuate more than higher rated securities and are affected by short-term credit developments to a greater degree.

All of the funds invest in investment grade securities. Investment grade securities are subject to numerous risks including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the investment grade security market or investors’ perception thereof, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal.

Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political risks, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting non-U.S. issuers.

As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the trust has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity.

Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain investments as well as performance.

The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the potential impacts of any future public health crisis, may cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against future variants of the disease.

It is important to note that an investment can be made in the underlying funds directly rather than through the trust. These direct investments can be made without paying the trust’s sales charge, operating expenses and organization costs.

The value of the securities held by the trust may be subject to steep declines or increased volatility due to changes in performance or perception of the issuers.

This UIT is a buy and hold strategy and investors should consider their ability to hold the trust until maturity. There may be tax consequences unless units are purchased in an IRA or other qualified plan.

For a discussion of additional risks of investing in the trust see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus.