<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

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        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2016-08-31</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>17:30:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>N-14</form>
        <filer>
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            <entityName>PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-212963</fileNumber>
            <seriesClassContractData>
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                    <acquiringEntityName>PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST</acquiringEntityName>
                    <acquiringSeriesId>S000003873</acquiringSeriesId>
                    <acquiringSeriesName>Putnam VT Growth Opportunities Fund</acquiringSeriesName>
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                    <acquiringClassContractName>Class IA Shares</acquiringClassContractName>
                    <targetCik>0000822671</targetCik>
                    <targetEntityName>PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST</targetEntityName>
                    <targetSeriesId>S000003891</targetSeriesId>
                    <targetSeriesName>Putnam VT Voyager Fund</targetSeriesName>
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                </merger>
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                    <acquiringSeriesName>Putnam VT Growth Opportunities Fund</acquiringSeriesName>
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                    <acquiringClassContractName>Class IB Shares</acquiringClassContractName>
                    <targetCik>0000822671</targetCik>
                    <targetEntityName>PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST</targetEntityName>
                    <targetSeriesId>S000003891</targetSeriesId>
                    <targetSeriesName>Putnam VT Voyager Fund</targetSeriesName>
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                    <targetClassContractName>Class IB Shares</targetClassContractName>
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            </seriesClassContractData>
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    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
