SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                 PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
                  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934                   
                             (Amendment No. )
                                                                       ----
                          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                                        
- ----                                                                       
 ----                                                                      
/ X /    Definitive Additional Materials                                   
- ----
 ----
/   /    Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or
- ----     Sec. 240.14a-12

                        PUTNAM FEDERAL INCOME TRUST
             (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, 
                         if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 ----
/ X /    No fee required
- ----
 ----
/   /    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a
- ----          6(i)(1) and 0-11

         (1) Title of each class of securities to which
         transaction applies:

         (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
         applies:

         (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of
         transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
         (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
         calculated and state how it was determined):

         (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

         (5) Total fee paid:

 ----
/   /    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- ----

 ----
/   /    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided 
- ----          by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
              for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. 
              Identify the previous filing by registration statement
              number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
              filing.

         (1) Amount Previously Paid:

         (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

         (3) Filing Party:

         (4) Date Filed:

A proxy statement is being sent to shareholders in Putnam Federal
Income Trust.

Shareholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals:

*   Electing trustees

*   Ratifying the selection of auditors

*   Approving a management fee increase

*   Approving changes to the fund's fundamental investment
    restrictions with respect to borrowing and to making loans

Shareholders may be contacted by phone for their voting
instructions.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the proxy
statement, please call Putnam Dealer Marketing Services at 1-800-
354-5487.  Financial Advisors, please call 1-800-526-4828.


s:\proxy\working\solicit\A16post