Section 906 Certifications

I, Jonathan S. Horwitz, the Principal Executive Officer of the Funds listed on Attachment A, certify that, to my knowledge:

1. The form N-CSR of the Funds listed on Attachment A for the period ended July 31, 2023 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Form N-CSR of the Funds listed on Attachment A for the period ended July 31, 2023 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Funds listed on Attachment A.

Date: September 25, 2023

/s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz

______________________

Jonathan S. Horwitz

Principal Executive Officer

Section 906 Certifications

I, Janet C. Smith, the Principal Financial Officer of the Funds listed on Attachment A, certify that, to my knowledge:

1. The form N-CSR of the Funds listed on Attachment A for the period ended July 31, 2023 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Form N-CSR of the Funds listed on Attachment A for the period ended July 31, 2023 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Funds listed on Attachment A.

Date: September 25, 2023

/s/ Janet C. Smith

______________________

Janet C. Smith

Principal Financial Officer

Attachment A

Period (s) ended July 31, 2023

               George Putnam Balanced Fund

               Putnam Large Cap Growth Fund

               Putnam Premier Income Trust

               Putnam Research Fund

               Putnam Short Term Investment Fund

               Putnam Strategic Intermediate Municipal Fund

               Putnam Tax-Free High Yield Fund

               Putnam Ultra Short Duration Income Fund

               Putnam Ultra Short MAC Series

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2065 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2060 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2055 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2050 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2045 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2040 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2035 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2030 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement 2025 Fund

               Putnam Sustainable Retirement Maturity Fund