SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant / X /
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e) (2))
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ X / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12
PUTNAM AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM ARIZONA TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM DIVERSIFIED INCOME TRUST
PUTNAM FLORIDA TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST
PUTNAM GLOBAL INCOME TRUST
PUTNAM HIGH YIELD ADVANTAGE FUND
PUTNAM HIGH YIELD TRUST
PUTNAM INCOME FUND
PUTNAM INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM MICHIGAN TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM MINNESOTA TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM MONEY MARKET FUND
PUTNAM MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
PUTNAM NEW JERSEY TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM NEW YORK TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM OHIO TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM PENNSYLVANIA TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM TAX EXEMPT INCOME FUND
PUTNAM TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND
PUTNAM TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
PUTNAM U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
if other than Registrant)
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Understanding your proxy
Your vote is important. As a Putnam fund shareholder, you have the
opportunity to vote on proposals that affect the management of your fund.
This guide can help you decide how you want to vote on the proposals
affecting your fund, which are explained in more detail in the proxy
statement. Please spend a few minutes to find out what you need to know to
vote. Your proxy ballot and postage-paid return envelope are included in
this package. You can mail them back or vote by phone or on the Web. Thank
you for taking the time to vote. Prompt action on your part saves the funds
money.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is a proxy?
A proxy is a person who can act on behalf of another. In the case, your
proxies are two Trustees of the Putnam funds (or the substitutes), who are
empowered to vote for you based on the instructions you provide.
What is a proxy ballot?
The proxy ballot tells the Trustees how to vote on your behalf. Each share
is entitled to one vote, and fractional shares vote proportionally.
What is the proxy statement?
The booklet you received is a proxy statement, describing the proposals
you are being asked to vote on. The proxy statement includes the
recommendations of the funds' Trustees, who recommend that shareholders
vote in favor of the proposals.
How do I vote my proxy?
You can vote by mailing the proxy ballot in the postage-paid envelope
provided, by phone, or by going to the Web. See your proxy ballot for the
phone number and Web address.
What if I don't return my proxy ballot?
If we don't receive the proxy ballots back in sufficient numbers, we have
to make follow-up solicitations, either by mail or by phone, which can
cost your fund money. All shareholders benefit when proxies are voted in a
timely fashion.
What if I just sign my ballot?
If you sign the card without providing your instructions, your shares will
be voted according to the Trustees' recommendations.
What proposals am I being asked to vote on?
As a shareholder, you have the opportunity to vote on four types of
proposals: 1) the election of your funds' Trustees, 2) amending or
eliminating certain investment restrictions that Putnam believes will
provide greater investment flexibility in managing the funds, 3) amending
the funds' governing documents to enhance the flexibility and efficiency
of the funds' operations, and 4) amending one fund's investmen objective.
Who are the Trustees and what is their role?
The Trustees play an important role in proctecting the fund shareholders.
They are responsible for approving the fees paid to Putnam Investments and
its affiliates, reviewing investment preformance, selecting the funds'
auditors, monitoring conflicts of interest, and voting proxies related to
the funds' portfolios.
Why are Trustees being elected?
Putnam funds must elect Trustees every five years. The Putnam funds
currently have 11 Trustees, nine of whome are independent. The Trustees
have nominated three additional Trustees, two of whom would be
independent. You are asked to vote for 14 Trustees in total, 11 of whom
will be independent.
What is an independent Trustee?
Independent Trustees are not affiliated with Putnam Investments, the
funds' investment manager. They vote separately to approve financial
arrangements and agreements regarding the investment management of the
funds. At least 75% of your funds' Trustees are required to be
independent.
Why amend or eliminate investment restrictions?
Generally, the purpose of these proposed changes is to increase each
fund's investment flexibility, simplify the investment restrictiosn, and
make them uniform across the Putnam funds. These changes would also make
Putnam's compliance monitoring more feeicient. As the investment
restrictions vary from fund to fund, you can consult your proxy ballot to
see which proposals apply to your fund(s).
The materials mention a shareholder meeting. Who attends?
Only a small number of shareholders attend the meeting and, as a result,
most choose to send in their proxies to make their wishes known.
What if I need more information?
Please call 1-800-225-1581 or your financial advisor.
217218 8/04
Understanding your proxy
Your vote is important. As a Putnam fund shareholder, you have the
opportunity to vote on proposals that affect the management of your fund.
This guide can help you decide how you want to vote on the proposals
affecting your fund, which are explained in more detail in the proxy
statement. Please spend a few minutes to find out what you need to know to
vote. Your proxy ballot and postage-paid return envelope are included in
this package. You can mail them back or vote by phone or on the Web. Thank
you for taking the time to vote. Prompt action on your part saves the funds
money.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is a proxy?
A proxy is a person who can act on behalf of another. In the case, your
proxies are two Trustees of the Putnam funds (or the substitutes), who are
empowered to vote for you based on the instructions you provide.
What is a proxy ballot?
The proxy ballot tells the Trustees how to vote on your behalf. Each share
is entitled to one vote, and fractional shares vote proportionally.
What is the proxy statement?
The booklet you received is a proxy statement, describing the proposals
you are being asked to vote on. The proxy statement includes the
recommendations of the funds' Trustees, who recommend that shareholders
vote in favor of the proposals.
How do I vote my proxy?
You can vote by mailing the proxy ballot in the postage-paid envelope
provided, by phone, or by going to the Web. See your proxy ballot for the
phone number and Web address.
What if I don't return my proxy ballot?
If we don't receive the proxy ballots back in sufficient numbers, we have
to make follow-up solicitations, either by mail or by phone, which can
cost your fund money. All shareholders benefit when proxies are voted in a
timely fashion.
What if I just sign my ballot?
If you sign the card without providing your instructions, your shares will
be voted according to the Trustees' recommendations.
What proposals am I being asked to vote on?
As a shareholder, you have the opportunity to vote on four types of
proposals: 1) the election of your funds' Trustees, 2) amending or
eliminating certain investment restrictions that Putnam believes will
provide greater investment flexibility in managing the funds, 3) amending
the funds' governing documents to enhance the flexibility and efficiency
of the funds' operations, and 4) amending one fund's investmen objective.
Who are the Trustees and what is their role?
The Trustees play an important role in proctecting the fund shareholders.
They are responsible for approving the fees paid to Putnam Investments and
its affiliates, reviewing investment preformance, selecting the funds'
auditors, monitoring conflicts of interest, and voting proxies related to
the funds' portfolios.
Why are Trustees being elected?
Putnam funds must elect Trustees every five years. The Putnam funds
currently have 11 Trustees, nine of whome are independent. The Trustees
have nominated three additional Trustees, two of whom would be
independent. You are asked to vote for 14 Trustees in total, 11 of whom
will be independent.
What is an independent Trustee?
Independent Trustees are not affiliated with Putnam Investments, the
funds' investment manager. They vote separately to approve financial
arrangements and agreements regarding the investment management of the
funds. At least 75% of your funds' Trustees are required to be
independent.
Why amend or eliminate investment restrictions?
Generally, the purpose of these proposed changes is to increase each
fund's investment flexibility, simplify the investment restrictiosn, and
make them uniform across the Putnam funds. These changes would also make
Putnam's compliance monitoring more feeicient. As the investment
restrictions vary from fund to fund, you can consult your proxy ballot to
see which proposals apply to your fund(s).
The materials mention a shareholder meeting. Who attends?
Only a small number of shareholders attend the meeting and, as a result,
most choose to send in their proxies to make their wishes known.
What if I need more information?
Please call 1-877-832-6360 or your financial advisor.
217218 8/04