Consent of Independent Accountants

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Statement of
Additional Information constituting part of this Registration Statement
on Form N-14 (the "Registration Statement") of the George Putnam Fund of
Boston of our report dated December 10, 2001 relating to the financial
statements and financial highlights included in the October 31, 2001
Annual Report to the Shareholders of Putnam Balanced Retirement Fund,
which financial statements and financial highlights are incorporated by
reference into such Statement of Additional Information. We also consent
to the reference to us under the heading "Independent Accountants and
Financial Statements" appearing in the Statement of Additional of
Information and Appendix A attached thereto.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 26, 2002