USD ($)

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund seeks positive total return.

Fees and expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 21 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Putnam funds.

$ 100,000

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	Class A C000071714		Class B C000071715		Class C C000071716		Class P C000174702	Class R C000071712	Class R6 C000118006	Class Y C000071713
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price)	2.25%		none		none		none	none	none	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage)	1.00%	[1]	1.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund	Class A C000071714	Class B C000071715	Class C C000071716	Class P C000174702	Class R C000071712	Class R6 C000118006	Class Y C000071713
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)	0.53%	0.53%	0.53%	0.53%	0.53%	0.53%	0.53%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%	0.45%	1.00%	none	0.50%	none	none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)	0.79%	0.99%	1.54%	0.54%	1.04%	0.54%	0.54%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class A C000071714	304	472	654	1,181
Class B C000071715	201	315	547	1,156	101	315	547	1,156
Class C C000071716	257	486	839	1,834	157	486	839	1,834
Class P C000174702	55	173	302	677
Class R C000071712	106	331	574	1,271
Class R6 C000118006	55	173	302	677
Class Y C000071713	55	173	302	677

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held. in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 844%.

Prospectus          3

844.00%

Investments, risks, and performance

Investments

The fund is designed to pursue a consistent absolute return through a broadly diversified portfolio reflecting uncorrelated fixed-income strategies designed to exploit market inefficiencies across global markets and fixed-income sectors. These strategies include investments in the following asset categories: (a) sovereign debt: obligations of governments in developed and emerging markets; (b) corporate credit: investment-grade debt, below-investment-grade debt (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”), bank loans, convertible bonds and structured credit; and (c) securitized assets: asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (which may be backed by non-qualified or “sub-prime” mortgages), commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The fund currently has significant investment exposure to residential and commercial mortgage-backed investments. In pursuing a consistent absolute return, the fund’s strategies are also generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. These traditional asset classes might include, for example, bonds with moderate exposure to interest rate and credit risks.

Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities (fixed-income securities include any debt instrument, and may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives). This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. We may consider, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Accordingly, we may use derivatives to a significant extent to obtain or enhance exposure to the fixed-income sectors and strategies mentioned above, and to hedge against risk.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Our allocation of assets among fixed-income strategies and sectors may hurt performance, and our efforts to diversify risk through the use of leverage and allocation decisions may not be successful.

If the quantitative models or data that are used in managing the fund prove to be incorrect or incomplete, investment decisions made in reliance on the models or data may not produce the desired results and the fund may realize losses.

The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility

and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain its spread are likely to negatively affect the value, volatility, and liquidity of the securities and other assets in which the fund invests and exacerbate other risks that apply to the fund. These effects could negatively impact the fund’s performance and lead to losses on your investment in the fund.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk, which is the risk that the the value of the fund’s bond investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Bond investments may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during economic downturns or other periods of economic stress. Interest rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields.

The fund’s investments in mortgage-backed investments, and in certain other securities and derivatives, may be or become illiquid. The fund currently has significant investment exposure to privately issued residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, which may make the fund’s net asset value more susceptible to economic, market, political and other developments affecting the residential and commercial real estate markets and the servicing of mortgage loans secured by real estate properties. During periods of difficult economic conditions, delinquencies and losses on commercial mortgage-backed investments in particular generally increase, including as a result of the effects of those conditions on commercial real estate markets, the ability of commercial tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain commercial tenants.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

There is no guarantee that the investment techniques, analyses, or judgments that we apply in making investment decisions for the fund will produce the intended outcome or that the investments we select for the fund will perform as well as other securities that were not selected for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could negatively impact the fund.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

putnam.com

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Best calendar quarter

Jun. 30, 2020

4.50%

Worst calendar quarter

Mar. 31, 2020

(7.55%)

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ended 12/31/20)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund		1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
Class A C000071714		(1.68%)	2.98%	1.97%
Class A C000071714 | After Taxes on Distributions		(2.45%)	1.56%	0.65%
Class A C000071714 | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales		(1.01%)	1.64%	0.91%
Class B C000071715		(0.54%)	3.25%	2.04%
Class C C000071716		(1.06%)	2.69%	1.45%
Class P C000174702	[1]	0.83%	3.74%	2.47%
Class R C000071712		0.32%	3.19%	1.95%
Class R6 C000118006	[1]	0.83%	3.72%	2.48%
Class Y C000071713		0.84%	3.73%	2.47%
ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		0.74%	1.23%	0.66%
ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 300 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		3.74%	4.23%	3.66%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		7.51%	4.44%	3.84%
S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		18.40%	15.22%	13.88%

ICE BofA Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury bills, which represent obligations of the U.S. Government having a maturity of one year or less, and is intended as an approximate measure of the rate of inflation. ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index + 3.00% is the benchmark and hurdle rate for the performance adjustment component of the fund’s management fee.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund seeks positive total return.

Fees and expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 23 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds.

$ 50,000

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund	Class A C000071717		Class B C000071718		Class C C000071719		Class P C000174703	Class R C000071721	Class R6 C000118008	Class Y C000071722
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price)	5.75%		none		none		none	none	none	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

2/28/22.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund		Class A C000071717	Class B C000071718	Class C C000071719	Class P C000174703	Class R C000071721	Class R6 C000118008	Class Y C000071722
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)		0.40%	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	none	0.50%	none	none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):		0.25%	0.25%	0.25%	0.10%	0.25%	0.14%	0.25%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses		0.04%	0.04%	0.04%	0.04%	0.04%	0.04%	0.04%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)		0.94%	1.69%	1.69%	0.54%	1.19%	0.58%	0.69%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement	[1]	(0.04%)	(0.04%)	(0.04%)	(0.04%)	(0.04%)	(0.04%)	(0.04%)
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)		0.90%	1.65%	1.65%	0.50%	1.15%	0.54%	0.65%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class A C000071717	662	854	1,062	1,660
Class B C000071718	668	829	1,114	1,795	168	529	914	1,795
Class C C000071719	268	529	914	1,994	168	529	914	1,994
Class P C000174703	51	169	298	673
Class R C000071721	117	374	650	1,440
Class R6 C000118008	55	182	320	722
Class Y C000071722	66	217	380	855

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 416%.

416.00%

Investments, risks, and performance

Investments

The fund seeks a positive total return. In pursuing a positive total return, the fund’s strategies are generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. The Fund aims to accomplish this objective by combining “directional” strategies and “non-directional” strategies. The directional strategies seek efficient, diversified exposure to investment markets. They also seek to balance risk and provide positive total return by investing, without limit, in many different asset classes, including U.S., international, and emerging markets equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) and fixed-income securities; mortgage- and asset-backed securities; below-investment-grade securities (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”); inflation-protected securities; commodities; and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The non-directional strategies aim to provide positive returns that have minimal correlation with traditional asset classes, such as equities or equity-like investments. The non-directional strategies are generally implemented using paired long and short positions in an effort to capitalize on long-term market inefficiencies and short-term opportunities. The non-directional strategies may involve the use of active trading strategies, currency transactions and options transactions.

We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell equity investments, and, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments. We may also take into account general market conditions when making investment decisions. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, to a significant extent for hedging purposes and to increase the fund’s exposure to the asset classes and strategies mentioned above, which may create investment leverage.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Our allocation of assets among asset classes may hurt performance, and our efforts to diversify risk through the use of leverage and allocation decisions may not be successful. If the quantitative models or data that are used in managing the fund prove to be incorrect or incomplete, investment decisions made in reliance on the models or data may not produce the desired results and the fund may realize losses.

The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, asset class, geography, industry or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain its spread are likely to negatively affect the value, volatility, and liquidity of the securities and other assets in which the fund invests and exacerbate other risks that apply to the fund. These effects could negatively impact the fund’s performance and lead to losses on your investment in the fund. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk, which is the risk that the value of the fund’s bond investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Bond investments may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during economic downturns or other periods of economic stress. Interest rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset- backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our non-directional strategies may lose money or not earn a return sufficient to cover associated trading and other costs REITs are subject to the risk of economic downturns that have an adverse impact on real estate markets. Commodity-linked notes are subject to the same risks as commodities, such as weather, disease, political, tax and other regulatory developments and other factors affecting the value of commodities. Our use of leverage obtained through derivatives increases the risk of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure. Derivatives also involve the risk, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

There is no guarantee that the investment techniques, analyses, or judgments that we apply in making investment decisions for the fund will produce the intended outcome or that the investments we select for the fund will perform as well as other securities that were not selected for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could negatively impact the fund.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

putnam.com

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Best calendar quarter

Mar. 31, 2012

6.07%

Worst calendar quarter

Dec. 31, 2018

(5.98%)

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ended 12/31/20)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund		1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
Class A C000071717		(13.10%)	(1.28%)	1.14%
Class A C000071717 | After Taxes on Distributions		(13.10%)	(1.72%)	0.29%
Class A C000071717 | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales		(7.76%)	(1.12%)	0.62%
Class B C000071718		(13.09%)	(1.24%)	1.13%
Class C C000071719		(9.37%)	(0.85%)	0.98%
Class P C000174703	[1]	(7.48%)	0.26%	2.05%
Class R C000071721		(8.12%)	(0.37%)	1.48%
Class R6 C000118008	[1]	(7.46%)	0.24%	2.07%
Class Y C000071722		(7.58%)	0.14%	1.99%
ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		0.74%	1.23%	0.66%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		7.51%	4.44%	3.84%
S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		18.40%	15.22%	13.88%
ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 500 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		5.74%	6.23%	5.66%

ICE BofA Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.

ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury bills, which represent obligations of the U.S. Government having a maturity of one year or less, and is intended as an approximate measure of the rate of inflation. ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index +5.00% is the benchmark and hurdle rate for the performance adjustment component of the fund’s management fee.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund seeks as high a rate of current income as Putnam Investment Management, LLC (Putnam Management) believes is consistent with preservation of capital.

Fees and expenses

The following tables describe the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 18 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Putnam funds.

$ 100,000

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund	Class A C000071705		Class B C000071706		Class C C000071707		Class R C000071709	Class R6 C000118004	Class Y C000071710
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price)	2.25%		none		none		none	none	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage)	0.75%	[1]	1.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund	Class A C000071705	Class B C000071706	Class C C000071707	Class R C000071709	Class R6 C000118004	Class Y C000071710
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets)	0.37%	0.37%	0.37%	0.37%	0.37%	0.37%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%	0.45%	1.00%	0.50%	none	none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets):	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets)	0.63%	0.83%	1.38%	0.88%	0.38%	0.38%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class A C000071705	288	422	568	994
Class B C000071706	185	265	460	968	85	265	460	968
Class C C000071707	240	437	755	1,657	140	437	755	1,657
Class R C000071709	90	281	488	1,084
Class R6 C000118004	39	122	213	480
Class Y C000071710	39	122	213	480

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 19%.

Prospectus          3

19.00%

Investments, risks, and performance

Investments

We invest in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities. The fund’s investments may include corporate credit, including investment-grade debt, below-investment-grade debt (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”), bank loans and structured credit; sovereign debt, including obligations of governments in developed and emerging markets; and securitized assets, including asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (which may be backed by non-qualified or “sub-prime” mortgages), commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in bonds (bonds include any debt instrument, and may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives). This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. We normally maintain an effective duration of three years or less. Effective duration provides a measure of a fund’s interest-rate sensitivity. The longer a fund’s duration, the more sensitive the fund is to shifts in interest rates.

We may consider, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

We may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements, which may be illiquid because they are subject to restrictions on resale.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The effects of inflation may erode the value of your investment over time. The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain its spread are likely to negatively affect the value, volatility, and liquidity of the securities and other assets in which the fund invests and exacerbate other risks that apply to the fund. These effects could negatively impact the fund’s performance and lead to losses on your investment in the fund.

The risks associated with fixed income investments include interest rate risk, which is the risk that the value of the fund’s investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Fixed income investments are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a fixed income investment may default on payment of interest or principal. Fixed income investments may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during economic downturns or other periods of economic stress. Interest rate risk is generally

greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which can be more sensitive to changes in markets, credit conditions, and interest rates, and may be considered speculative. Mortgage- and asset-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields. The fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, and in certain other securities and derivatives, may be or become illiquid. The fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities may make the fund’s net asset value more susceptible to economic, market, political and other developments affecting the residential and commercial real estate markets and the servicing of mortgage loans secured by real estate properties. During periods of difficult economic conditions, delinquencies and losses on commercial mortgage-backed investments in particular generally increase, including as a result of the effects of those conditions on commercial real estate markets, the ability of commercial tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain commercial tenants.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid.

Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

There is no guarantee that the investment techniques, analyses, or judgments that we apply in making investment decisions for the fund will produce the intended outcome or that the investments we select for the fund will perform as well as other securities that were not selected for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could negatively impact the fund.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. Before June 1, 2018, the fund was managed with a materially different investment strategy and may have achieved materially different performance results

under its current investment strategy from that shown for periods before this date. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

putnam.com

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Best calendar quarter

Jun. 30, 2020

4.31%

Worst calendar quarter

Mar. 31, 2020

(2.80%)

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ended 12/31/20)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund		1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
Class A C000071705		0.88%	2.56%	1.55%
Class A C000071705 | After Taxes on Distributions		0.11%	1.62%	0.81%
Class A C000071705 | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales		0.51%	1.54%	0.86%
Class B C000071706		1.90%	2.81%	1.62%
Class C C000071707		1.33%	2.26%	1.02%
Class R C000071709		2.94%	2.76%	1.52%
Class R6 C000118004	[1]	3.35%	3.29%	2.04%
Class Y C000071710		3.36%	3.27%	2.03%
ICE BofA 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		4.16%	3.09%	2.56%
ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill - ICE BofA 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Linked Benchmark (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)		4.16%	2.57%	1.33%

ICE BofA Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over two years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) and for class P shares prior to their inception (8/31/16) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC’s contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 2/28/22. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

[1] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) and for class P shares prior to their inception (8/31/16) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R6 and class P shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over two years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.