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

  • 22 April 2025

    Employer pension contributions

    Employer pension contributions are tax-efficient payments your employer makes into your pension. Read more about their tax benefits and how to set up SIPP employer contributions here.

    4 min read
    Various angles of an office
  • 18 April 2025

    Five tips to trim your ISA costs

    ISAs are a great way to shelter your wealth from the taxman, but the impact of higher charges can compound over time. See our top tips on how to cut your ISA charges.

    5 min read
    Trimming hedges
  • 6 April 2025

    What happens to my ISA when I die?

    If you die, the money and investments held in your Stocks and shares ISA will be passed onto your beneficiaries. Find out what happens to your ISA on death.

    6 min read
    Pen writing a will
  • 6 April 2025

    ISA rules

    With several different types of ISA available, it’s important that you know the rules that apply to each one. Learn more about ISA rules and how they might impact you.

    5 min read
    Mallet on a stack of books
  • 25 March 2025

    Key changes coming to household finances this April

    April will bring along a slew of changes in terms of personal finance, tax and pensions as the new tax year begins.

    While tax thresholds stay frozen, individuals’ expenses such as council tax and energy bills have faced increases, creating a new environment for navigating personal finances.

    Another year of frozen thresholds

    Taxpayers will be...

    6 min read
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  • 12 March 2025

    How to create the blueprint for your child's future investing strategy

    Junior ISAs are one option if you’re looking to invest for your child’s future – plus, they can’t access their money until they turn 18. Along with kickstarting their future nest egg for them to take over when the times comes, it could also be a springboard to get them involved with investments and shape their own future strategy too.

    Why help your...
    5 min read
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  • 27 February 2025

    The loophole that can give your child a £36,000 tax-free allowance this year

    The UK tax system is full of traps and distortions, but every so often, it also throws up quirks and loopholes that can help people shelter more money than usual.

    This loophole is only available for children with Child Trust Funds (CTFs), which were available for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. They have since been...

    3 min read
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  • 24 February 2025

    Withdrawing money from an ISA

    Are you wondering how withdrawals from ISA accounts work? Learn more about the rules around ISA withdrawals and how you can withdraw money out of an ISA.

    4 min read
    Woman using mobile phone at home
  • 18 February 2025

    Multiple ISA accounts

    There's no limit on the number of ISA accounts you can hold, so you can have more than one ISA in a tax year. Learn about opening multiple ISAs.

    4 min read
    Multiple piggy banks
  • 7 February 2025

    Contributing to your pension

    One of the biggest perks of pensions is earning tax relief on what you pay in. How much tax relief you get is based on your earnings and how much tax you pay. So how much can you contribute to your pension?

    6 min read
    Woman calculating next to a piggy bank