UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 23, 2020 (October 23, 2020)

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 257-8787

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report): N/A

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

On October 23, 2020, Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (NYSE: JCE) (the “Fund”), a registered closed-end management investment company, issued a press release announcing the results of a special meeting of the Fund’s shareholders. At the meeting, the Fund’s shareholders voted to approve all items submitted for approval by shareholders, including the proposal changing the Fund’s sub-advisor for its equity portfolio to Nuveen Asset Management, LLC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.