About the expert

Charlene Young is AJ Bell’s Senior Pensions and Savings Expert. She joined AJ Bell in 2014 from a wealth management firm where she worked with private clients and small businesses as a financial planner.

Charlene has over 15 years’ experience in financial services, holding Chartered Financial Planner status and Chartered membership of the Personal Finance Society (PFS). She's also an associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol.

She's a core member of our team who create content and information to help you invest - from how to map out your financial goals and which accounts can help you on your investing journey, to making sense of the more intricate parts of the tax and pension rules.

Pensions are Charlene's thing, and her goal is to make them less daunting and complicated for everyone. She does this by writing articles for our website and investor newsletters, as well as recording podcasts, videos and webinars for our website, apps and social media channels. She’s been instrumental in the delivery of AJ Bell’s 'Learn' area – a hub of educational content for those newer to investing.

You’ll also see Charlene representing AJ Bell at our investor events and providing comments for national press and adviser publications. She’s a director of AJ Bell’s pension trustee companies.

Latest articles from Charlene Young

  • 25 April 2025

    SIPP vs ISA

    Stocks and shares ISAs and Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) can be ideal wrappers for holding investments in shares and funds. Learn about SIPPs vs ISAs here.

    7 min read
    comparing donuts and apples

  • 21 April 2026

    How much cash should I hold before investing?

    If you’ve read any tips or checklists to help your get started with investing, you’ll have seen sorting a cash buffer or emergency fund mentioned.

    Having a decent chunk of money readily available in an easy access account is a vital part of any financial plan. But there’s a balance to be had between holding too much cash, which might mean you never...

    3 min read
    Couple on sofa looking at bucket on floor

  • 17 April 2026

    How is my pension taxed on withdrawal?

    When you save for retirement using a pension, part of your withdrawal is tax-free, but what about the rest of it? This article looks at the taxes that apply when you access your pension.

    5 min read
    Elderly couple on the beach

  • 17 April 2026

    Withdrawing your pension in full

    If you’re 55 or over, you can choose to withdraw all your pension pot in one go - but what are the implications? We list the main things you should think about.

    3 min read
    Retired couple taking out money at an ATM

  • 17 April 2026

    Lump sum allowance

    The lump sum allowance (LSA) is designed to cap the tax-free lump sums you can take from your pensions in your lifetime. Learn more about the LSA and LSDBA here.

    3 min read
    Retired couple walking in a forest

  • 17 April 2026

    How does your retirement income stack up?

    Ever wonder how your income compares to other people in retirement, or what you need to be aiming for? The Family Resources Survey data from the Department for Work and Pensions lets us take a deep dive into how much income pensioners get each week and where they get that income from.

    As you approach retirement age, the data can still help you work...

    5 min read
    Shares magazine
    A retired couple on a bench

  • 14 April 2026

    Inheritance tax and how to give from your pension

    While you cannot directly gift your pension to another person, you can use withdrawals from your pension to fund gifts to loved ones. As pensions become included in estates for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027, those facing a large inheritance tax bill, or worried about the income tax their beneficiaries may face after inheritance tax is...

    7 min read
    Couple with financial advisor

  • 13 April 2026

    Investing in retirement - six things you need to know

    As you move into your 50s, 60s and beyond, your relationship with investing will naturally change. You may be thinking more about accessing your pension and generating an income or making sure you don’t outlive your pensions and other savings in later life.

    While there’s plenty of change ahead - and hopefully some exciting plans - your investment...

    6 min read
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