| |
| 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, 2015 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, 2015 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Funds listed on Attachment A. |
| Date: September 25, 2015 |
| /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz |
| ______________________ |
| Jonathan S. Horwitz |
| Principal Executive Officer |
|
Section 906 Certifications
|
| I, Steven D. Krichmar, 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, 2015 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, 2015 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Funds listed on Attachment A. |
| Date: September 25, 2015 |
| /s/ Steven D. Krichmar |
| ______________________ |
| Steven D. Krichmar |
| Principal Financial Officer |
|
Attachment A |
| N-CSR |
| Period (s) ended July 31, 2015 |
| Putnam Premier Income Trust |
| Putnam Research Fund |
| Putnam Investors Fund |
| Putnam Voyager Fund |
| Putnam Tax Free High Yield Fund |
| Putnam AMT-Free Insured Municipal Fund |
| Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund |
| George Putnam Balanced Fund |
| Putnam Short Duration Income Fund |
| Putnam Short Term Investment Fund |
| Putnam Strategic Volatility Equity Fund |
| Putnam Low Volatility Equity Fund |
| Putnam RetirementReady – Funds: |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2055 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2050 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2045 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2040 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2035 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2030 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2025 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2020 |
| Putnam RetirementReady – 2015 |
| Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 1 |